Outcome of Upper GI Bleeding in NSAID Users

Current NSAID use was associated with increased 30-day mortality risk in a Danish study, but confounding could explain some of the observed relation.

Nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are associated with increased incidence of peptic-ulcer bleeding, whereas selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors (coxibs) are associated with reduced incidence. Researchers have hypothesized that when bleeding occurs among NSAID users, outcomes might be worse with nonselective drugs (because of their platelet inhibitor effects) than with coxibs.

To evaluate outcomes after peptic-ulcer bleeding in NSAID users, investigators used hospital discharge registries in three Danish counties to identify patients who were first hospitalized for peptic-ulcer bleeding between 1991 and 2003. They then used linked records in national databases to determine medication use, comorbidities, and 30-day m…

Reviewing Author

David J. Bjorkman, MD, MSPH (HSA), SM (Epid.)