Published online Sep 14, 2018. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v24.i34.3908
Peer-review started: April 4, 2018
First decision: May 29, 2018
Revised: July 12, 2018
Accepted: July 22, 2018
Article in press: July 21, 2018
Published online: September 14, 2018
Processing time: 163 Days and 18.6 Hours
To determine the clinical characteristics of elderly patients of hemorrhagic gastroduodenal ulcer on low-dose aspirin (LDA) therapy.
A total of 1105 patients with hemorrhagic gastroduodenal ulcer treated in our hospital between January 2000 and March 2016 were grouped by age and drugs used, and these groups were compared in several factors. These groups were compared in terms of length of hospital stay, presence/absence of hemoglobin (Hb) decrease, presence/absence of blood transfusion, Forrest I, percentage of Helicobacter pylori infection, presence/absence of underlying disease, and percentage of severe cases.
The percentage of blood transfusion (62.6% vs 47.7 %, P < 0.001), Hb decrease (53.8% vs 40.8%, P < 0.001), and the length of hospital stay (23.5 d vs 16.7 d, P < 0.001) were significantly greater in those on drug therapy. The percentage of blood transfusion (65.3% vs 47.8%, P < 0.001), Hb decrease (54.2% vs 42.1%, P < 0.001), and length of hospital stay (23.3 d vs 17.5 d, P < 0.001) were significantly greater in the elderly. In comparison with the LDA monotherapy group, the percentage of severe cases was significantly higher in the LDA combination therapy group when elderly patients were concerned (16.1% vs 34.0%, P = 0.030). Meanwhile, among those on LDA monotherapy, there was no significant difference between elderly and non-elderly (16.1% vs 16.0%, P = 0.985).
A combination of LDA with antithrombotic drugs or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) contributes to aggravation. And advanced age is not an aggravating factor when LDA monotherapy is used.
Core tip: A total of 1105 patients with hemorrhagic gastroduodenal ulcer were grouped by age and drugs used, and these groups were compared in several factors. Among the elderly (over 70 years), the rate of severe conditions was significantly higher in patients receiving low-dose aspirin (LDA) combination therapy than in those receiving LDA monotherapy. Meanwhile, in the LDA monotherapy group, no significant difference in the rate of severe conditions was observed between elderly and non-elderly patients. This result suggests LDA combination therapy contributes to the aggravation, and advanced age is not an aggravating factor when LDA monotherapy is used.