Key result
One-third of U.S. adults aged ≥40 years reported taking preventive aspirin and/or other antiplatelet medications, with use increasing significantly with age (from 11% at 40-49 years to 54% at ≥80 years).
Cross-Sectional (n=3,599)
A significant proportion (one-third) of U.S. adults aged ≥ 40 years use preventive antiplatelet therapy, overwhelmingly consisting of 81 mg daily aspirin, with use strongly associated with age, cardiovascular disease, and provider recommendation.
Provides baseline prevalence estimates; leaves open how use has evolved with updated aspirin recommendations.
OBJECTIVE: We estimated the prevalence of preventive aspirin and/or other antiplatelet medication use and the dosage of aspirin use in the U.S. adult population. METHODS: We conducted cross-sectional analyses of a representative sample (n=3,599) of U.S. adults aged ≥ 40 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011-2012. RESULTS: In 2011-2012, one-third of U.S. adults aged ≥ 40 years reported taking preventive aspirin and/or other antiplatelet medications, 97% of whom indicated preventive aspirin use. Preventive aspirin use increased with age (from 11% of those aged 40-49 years to 54% of those ≥ 80 years of age, p<0.001). Non-Hispanic white (35%) and black (30%) adults were more likely to take preventive aspirin than non-Hispanic Asian (20%, p<0.001) and Hispanic (22%, p=0.013) adults. Adults with, compared with those without health insurance, and adults with ≥ 2 doctor visits in the past year, diagnosed diabetes, hypertension, or high cholesterol were twice as likely to take preventive aspirin. Among those with cardiovascular disease, 76% reported taking preventive aspirin and/or other antiplatelet medications, of whom 91% were taking preventive aspirin. Among adults without cardiovascular disease, 28% reported taking preventive aspirin. Adherence rates to medically recommended aspirin use were 82% overall, 91% for secondary prevention, and 79% for primary prevention. Among current preventive aspirin users, 70% were taking 81 milligrams (mg) of aspirin daily and 13% were taking 325 mg of aspirin daily. CONCLUSION: The vast majority of antiplatelet therapy is preventive aspirin use. A health-care provider's recommendation to take preventive aspirin is an important determinant of current preventive aspirin use.
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Gu et al. (2015) conducted a cross-sectional in General adult population (n=3,599). Preventive aspirin and/or other antiplatelet medications was evaluated on Prevalence of preventive aspirin and/or other antiplatelet medication use. One-third of U.S. adults aged ≥40 years reported taking preventive aspirin and/or other antiplatelet medications, with use increasing significantly with age (from 11% at 40-49 years to 54% at ≥80 years).
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