Epidemiology and NSAID induced gastropathy.

Population based epidemiologic studies of gastropathy associated with the use of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) have shown that NSAID users are at increased risk of adverse gastrointestinal (GI) events and ulcer complications, that the risk of NSAID induced gastropathy is increased among older persons, and that such factors as alcohol use, anticoagulant use and prior GI disorders contribute to the risk of adverse GI events. Clinical epidemiologic studies have shown that ulcer and other mucosal damage is present in a large proportion of NSAID users and that such damage is largely asymptomatic. Overall, evidence indicates that NSAID induced gastropathy is responsible for a significant proportion of serious ulcer complications and associated mortality. More data are needed to establish multivariate risk profiles permitting optimal management of patients receiving chronic NSAID therapy.