Published online Oct 26, 2019. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v7.i20.3168
Peer-review started: March 19,2019
First decision: September 9,2019
Revised: September 28, 2019
Accepted: October 15, 2019
Article in press: October 15, 2019
Published online: October 26, 2019
Processing time: 221 Days and 9.5 Hours
The use of low-dose aspirin (LDA) has been a common preventive measure to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. This is attributed to aspirin’s ability to inhibit platelet activation. On the other hand, the use of LDA in human subjects has been associated with the development of gastrointestinal injuries like ulcer and bleeding, especially for those sensitive subjects such as elder human subjects. This opinion review will summarize the recent clinical reports regarding the use of LDA and the development of gastrointestinal conditions in China. Based on these reports, it seems that the use of LDA is commonly associated with gastrointestinal injuries, and stopping its use leads to recovery in elderly subjects. Therefore, we would like to suggest that gastroduodenal health and conditions should be seriously taken into consideration when LDA is recommended to the elderly, or other alternative means to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events such as nutritional interventions should be suggested.
Core tip: Low-dose aspirin (LDA) has been used widely for prevention of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. This is attributed to the role of aspirin in the inhibition of cyclooxygenases to prevent or reduce thrombosis. However, the use of LDA has been associated with gastrointestinal injuries such as ulcer and bleeding in sensitive human subjects. This opinion review summarized recent Chinese publications showing gastrointestinal damages in Chinese elders using LDA. We argue that cautions should be taken when LDA is recommended, and alternative means should be considered for those elderly and sensitive subjects in China.