Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-associated upper gastrointestinal ulceration and complications

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use is associated with a three-fold increase in the risk of gastrointestinal adverse events and probably accounts for 1200 deaths from peptic ulcer complications per annum in the UK. Co-administration of steroids significantly increases the risk of ulcer complications. Many of the superficial ulcers and erosions seen at endoscopy in patients taking NSAIDs are probably trivial and not related to the development of ulcer complications.