NSAID use increases risk of serious GI bleeding
In a new study of a Saskatchewan Department of Health database of almost 1,400 cases of upper GI bleeding or perforation, researchers have found that current users of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are four times more likely to be hospitalized for these diagnoses.
Risk factors associated with upper GI bleeding in the study population included age, male gender, and history of complicated peptic ulcer disease, according to a report in the January issue of Epidemiology(1997; 8:18-24).
Ibuprofen emerged as the safest NSAID in this study, consistent with previous reports, while diflunisal was associated with the highest risk.
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