Increased Risk of Clopidogrel-Induced Gastric Mucosal Erosion in Elderly Chinese Men Harboring the Allele.

BACKGROUND

It is uncertain whether long-term use of clopidogrel alone can cause gastric mucosal injury. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between polymorphisms, which could affect the intestinal absorption of clopidogrel, and gastric mucosal erosion in elderly Chinese men who used clopidogrel alone.

METHODS

We selected 298 male patients (aged between 68.2 and 89.5 years, average age 78); 201 of them constituted the control group, and 97 constituted the case group. Patients taking clopidogrel alone who had undergone endoscopic screening for gastric erosion were analyzed for polymorphisms by a TaqMan assay.

RESULTS

The proportion of people carrying the allele (n = 63, 64.9% vs n = 97, 48.3%, p = 0.007) was significantly higher in the case group than in the control group. After adjustments for significant factors were made, allele carrier (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.43-3.84, p <0.01) was found to be associated with gastric mucosal erosion in people who used clopidogrel alone.

CONCLUSION

Carrying the allele may be a useful genetic predictor for clopidogrel-induced gastric mucosal erosion in elderly Chinese men.