Non Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs And The Stomach - A Review

Abstract

Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAlDs) are standard prescription drugs in the treatment of
rheumatic disease, but it is also well known that they carry a high risk of adverse events, particulariy in the gastro-intestinai tract. Studies have indicated that the prevalence of (5! symptoms among patients taking these agents is in the region of 30% to 40% (l,2) with symptoms ranging in severity from the occasional heartburn or indigestion to severe dyspepsia. Gastric erosions are seen in one third or more of patients who use NSAlDs (3) and continued NSAlDs therapy produces ulcers in l0-20% of patients with gastric ulcers being more common more than duodenal ulcers. Serious and life threatening gastroduodenal complications such as bleeding and ulcer perforation which is the major concern of all doctors, have been reported to occur in about I-2 % patients during 3-6 months of NSAID therapy or 4 6% of patients treated for a year (4)