The prevalence and factors associated with aspirin resistance in patients premedicated with aspirin

OBJECTIVE: Aspirin is a key drug used in treating patients with a high risk to develop stroke, myocardial infarction and other cardiovascular events. However, a considerable fraction of the patients develops aspirin resistance, which is a multi-factorial process that can occur due to patient's non-compliance, improper dosing, other co-morbidities or drug-drug interactions.This cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence and factors associated with aspirin resistance among Jordanians. METHODS: The study was performed on a sample of 418 adult patients who were taking aspirin as an antiplatelet agent. To determine aspirin resistance, platelet function was assessed using a multiplate analyzer. RESULTS: Data shows that about 18.7% (78) of the patients were aspirin resistant. Aspirin resistance was associated with female gender (P < 0.05) and was higher among diabetic subjects (P < 0.05). Statins use was correlated with improved aspirin response (P < 0.05). No association was found between aspirin response and: age, body mass index, education, smoking status, family history of cardiovascular disease, aspirin dose and duration of aspirin use (P > 0.05). In addition, aspirin resistance was not related to parameters such as HbA1c and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), comorbidities including dyslipidaemia, and hypertension, and concurrent use of other medications such as beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs), calcium channel blockers (CCBs), and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The incidence of aspirin resistance is high in the Jordanian population. Aspirin resistance is associated with female gender and diabetes. On the other hand, the use of statins improves response to aspirin.