The effect of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in upper gastrointestinal bleeding

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To evaluate the association between non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) use and upper gastrointestinal (UGI) bleeding, we performed a case-control study at the six University affiliated hospitals for one year. METHODS: Case and control subjects matched for age and sex were selected by endoscopy. Subjects were asked for the use of NSAIDs, past medical history, history of other medications, and smoking. The age and sex adjusted risk for UGI bleeding with NSAIDs use was compared between the case and control groups. RESULTS: The odd ratios of UGI bleeding with NSAIDs intake adjusted for past medical and medication history, past medical history only, and medication history only were 5.0, 5.0, and 1.7, respectively. The cases had significantly more history of NSAIDs intake, more diseases in medical history, and more medications other than NSAIDs compared to the controls. There was no relationship between UGI bleeding and concomitant medications in the both groups. CONCLUSIONS: This multicenter study suggests that a history of NSAIDs intake is strongly associated with UGI bleeding in Korea.