[Diagnosis and treatment of aspirin--and NSAID-induced peptic ulcers]

A Japanese case-control study showed the odds ratio of upper gastrointestinal bleeding was 5.5 for aspirin and 6.1 for other NSAIDs. A Japanese cohort study showed that peptic ulcers were found in 6.5% of 1,454 patients receiving low-dose aspirin (LDA). Some endoscopic studies reported that NSAID users often had antral, multiple, and irregular ulcers, irrespective of Helicobacter pylori status. Proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) and misoprostol should be used for therapy for NSAID-ulcers. Maintenance therapy with PPI should be given for prevention of relapse of ulcers of NSAIDs and LDA users. PPI and histamine 2-recetor antagonist were effective for prevention of upper GI mucosal injury in patients receiving LDA.