Key result
Low-dose aspirin use was associated with an increased risk of hospitalization for upper gastrointestinal bleeding compared to the general population (incidence rate ratio 2.6; 95% CI 2.2-2.9).
Why the study?
Does low-dose aspirin increase the risk of hospitalization for upper gastrointestinal bleeding compared to the general population?
Cohort (n=27,694)
Does low-dose aspirin increase the risk of hospitalization for upper gastrointestinal bleeding compared to the general population?
Low-dose aspirin use is associated with a 2.6-fold increased risk of hospitalization for upper gastrointestinal bleeding, which is not mitigated by enteric coating and is further increased when combined with other NSAIDs.
Supports monitoring for upper GI bleeding with low-dose aspirin; leaves open causal confirmation and mitigation strategies in randomized trials.
OBJECTIVE: Aspirin products are known to cause irritation and injury to the gastric mucosa. We examined the risk of hospitalization for upper gastrointestinal bleeding with use of low-dose aspirin. METHODS: This was a cohort study based on record linkage between a population-based prescription database and a hospital discharge registry in North Jutland County, Denmark, from January 1, 1991, to December 31, 1995. Incidence rates of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in 27,694 users of low-dose aspirin were compared with the incidence rates in the general population in the county. RESULTS: A total of 207 exclusive users of low-dose aspirin experienced a first episode of upper gastrointestinal bleeding with admission to the hospital during the study period. The standardized incidence rate ratio was 2.6 (95% confidence interval, 2.2-2.9), 2.3 in women and 2.8 in men. The standardized incidence rate ratio for combined use of low-dose aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs was 5.6 (95% confidence interval, 4.4-7.0). The risk was similar among users of noncoated low-dose aspirin (standardized incidence rate ratio, 2.6; 95% confidence interval, 1.8-3.5) and coated low-dose aspirin (standardized incidence rate ratio, 2.6; 95% confidence interval, 2.2-3.0). CONCLUSIONS: Use of low-dose aspirin was associated with an increased risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding, with still higher risks when combined with other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Enteric coating did not seem to reduce the risk. The findings from this observational study raise the possibility that prophylactic use of low-dose aspirin may convey an increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, which may offset some of its benefits.
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Sørensen et al. (2000) conducted a cohort in upper gastrointestinal bleeding (n=27,694). Low-dose aspirin vs. General population was evaluated on Hospitalization for upper gastrointestinal bleeding (IRR 2.6, 95% CI 2.2-2.9). Low-dose aspirin use was associated with an increased risk of hospitalization for upper gastrointestinal bleeding compared to the general population (incidence rate ratio 2.6; 95% CI 2.2-2.9).
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