Alcoholic gastritis with bleeding

This code signifies inflammation of the stomach lining caused by excessive alcohol consumption, specifically when there is evidence of active or recent bleeding. The bleeding can manifest as hematemesis, melena, or positive stool guaiac, indicating gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

Apply this code when documentation clearly links gastritis and bleeding to alcohol abuse. This includes patients presenting with upper GI bleeding symptoms and a history of heavy alcohol intake, where endoscopy confirms gastritis with erosions or ulcers. Ensure the physician explicitly states the alcoholic etiology of the gastritis.

• Always confirm the causal link between alcohol and gastritis with bleeding in the physician's documentation.
• Do not use this code if the bleeding is due to a different etiology, such as NSAID-induced gastritis or a peptic ulcer unrelated to alcohol.
• Sequence this code as the primary diagnosis if it is the reason for the encounter; otherwise, it may be a secondary diagnosis.