[Ulcers of the colon in association with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID)--a rare cause of gastrointestinal bleeding? Report of 3 cases].

Although adverse side effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) can affect the whole gastrointestinal tract, most reports refer to upper gastrointestinal tract complications. We report on 3 patients with lower gastrointestinal bleeding (patient 1 and 2) respectively detectable fecal blood loss (patient 3) after the use of NSAID. Patient 1 and 3 were taking NSAID over at least 6 months for the treatment of rheumatic diseases while patient 2 reported a single use of 2 g acetylsalicylic acid. Colonoscopy showed a single ulcer of the colon in patients 1 and 2. Due to acute bleeding patient 1 required interventional endoscopic treatment. Colonoscopy of patient 3 revealed multiple colonic ulcerations. Gastroduodenoscopy also detected adverse NSAID-effects on the upper gastrointestinal tract in patient 1 and 3 (ulcers of the stomach, erosive duodenitis). NSAID-medication was discontinued in all patients and, additionally, mesalazine was administered to patient 3. Consecutively, symptoms and lesions disappeared. Our cases stress the clinical importance of NSAID-toxicity distal to the small intestine which may exist concomitantly to lesions of the upper gastrointestinal tract and is not obligatory dose-dependent.