Gastroprotection in long-term use of non-steroidal antirheumatic drugs and low-dose acetylosalicylic acid

Abstract

Summary

The incidence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug /NSA/-related and low-dose acetylosalicylic acid /LD-ASA/-related ulcer complications remains high despite the availability of potent anti-ulcer drugs and selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors. These complications can be minimized by a prospective assessment of the patient´s baseline risk, rational choice and use of NSA drugs and selective use of a co-therapy strategy with gastroprotectives. The presence of H. pylori infection significantly increases the risk of upper gastrointestinal complications in NSA drug users, suggesting that all patients requiring regular long-term NSA/LS-ASA drug therapy should be tested for H. pylori.