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Decreased prevalence of symptomatic atherosclerosis in arthritis patients on long-term aspirin therapy
1Department of Pathology, Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans 70112-1393, USA.
Insights
Long-term aspirin therapy may prevent symptomatic atherosclerosis. Arthritis patients with 8+ years of aspirin use showed significantly reduced atherosclerosis prevalence, suggesting a primary prevention effect.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Rheumatology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Atherosclerosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality.
- Long-term aspirin use is common for various conditions.
- The impact of aspirin on atherosclerosis in specific patient groups requires investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of long-term aspirin therapy on the prevalence of symptomatic atherosclerosis.
- To compare atherosclerosis prevalence in arthritis patients on aspirin versus the general autopsy population.
Main Methods:
- Autopsy results from 44 arthritis patients on long-term aspirin therapy were analyzed.
- Data were compared with a control cohort from the general autopsy population.
Main Results:
- No significant decrease in symptomatic atherosclerosis was observed in arthritis patients with less than 8 years of aspirin use.
- A significant decrease in symptomatic atherosclerosis was found in arthritis patients with 8 or more years of aspirin use.
- Atherosclerosis prevalence was inversely related to the duration of arthritis and aspirin therapy.
Conclusions:
- Long-term aspirin therapy (≥8 years) may be associated with a primary prevention of symptomatic atherosclerosis.
- The findings suggest a potential role for aspirin in preventing atherosclerosis development, particularly in patients with chronic inflammatory conditions like arthritis.
Abstract:
To determine the effect of long-term aspirin therapy on the prevalence of symptomatic atherosclerosis, autopsy results from 44 arthritis patients taking aspirin were compared with a cohort from the general autopsy population. No decrease in the prevalence of symptomatic atherosclerosis was noted in patients with less than 8 years of arthritis, compared with controls. In contrast, the prevalence of symptomatic atherosclerosis was significantly decreased in arthritis patients with 8 or more years of arthritis and aspirin use. In these subjects, the prevalence of symptomatic atherosclerosis was inversely related to duration of arthritis. The inverse relationship between prevalence of symptomatic atherosclerosis and duration of aspirin therapy, as well as the decrease in all forms of symptomatic atherosclerosis, raise the possibility that this decrease is due to primary prevention of atherosclerosis.