Stop the Bleed: Get High-Risk Patients on Gastroprotective Agents

In a large cross-sectional study, fewer than half of high-risk patients were taking a GPA before an ulcer bleeding episode.

Multiple studies have demonstrated that the risk for upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) in patients taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or low-dose aspirin (ASA) can be reduced with use of a gastroprotective agent (GPA) — particularly in patients at high risk for UGIB. Adherence to guidelines for the use of GPAs varies between countries but is generally unsatisfactory.

Now, investigators have retrospectively assessed prior recent use of a GPA in patients taking NSAIDs or ASAs who experienced UGIB. Among 13,681 patients who presented with UGIB at a single hospital in Hong Kong between 2000 and 2009, researchers identified 1093 patients who had been using NSAIDs and 2277 patients who had been using ASA within 4 weeks of ho…

Reviewing Author

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

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

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

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose