Frequent Use of Nonaspirin NSAIDs May Raise Risk for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are known to disrupt the intestinal epithelial barrier. This disruption may alter the interaction between gut microbes and immune cells and, secondarily, may raise risk for inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn disease [CD] or ulcerative colitis [UC]). To assess this potential relation, researchers analyzed data from 76,795 women participating in the Nurses' Health Study who, in 1990 (when mean age was 57), answered questions about use of aspirin and other NSAIDs.

During 18 years of follow-up, 123 new cases of CD and 117 new cases of UC were documented. Aspirin use was not significantly associated with the incidence of these conditions. Use of other NSAIDs for ≥15 days per month sho…