Clinical aspects of upper gastrointestinal bleeding associated with the use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical features of major upper gastrointestinal bleeding among patients exposed to nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) and those not taking these drugs.

Methods: Using data from a multicenter international case-control study designed to evaluate the role of drugs in the etiology of major upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB), patients with a confirmed first episode of major UGIB were divided into two groups: those exposed to NSAIDs during the week before the onset of bleeding, and those not exposed. The groups were compared according to age and sex, clinical appearance and site of the bleeding, preceding symptoms, and requirement for transfusion and acute surgery.