[Gastrointestinal hemorrhages as complications of gastropathies associated with intake of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs].

Aim: To examine gastroduodenal mucosa in patients treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), to evaluate the rate and severity of gastrointestinal hemorrhage (GIH) as NSAID-gastropathy manifestation by the results of clinical and device tests.

Material And Methods: A retrospective analysis of 2042 case histories of patients admitted to the surgical department of the Moscow city hospital N 1 in 1997-2001 with diagnosis GIH confirmed at esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGDS). 989 patients (566 males and 423 females) had acute GIH from the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Results: Relationship between intake of NSAID and GIH was documented in 342 patients (16.7% of overall number of the examinees and 34.6% of patients with acute GIH). According to EGDS, GIH was provoked by gastric lesions (68%), duodenal lesions (20%), gastroduodenal lesions (9%), esophageal erosions (3%). GIH was caused primarily by low-dose aspirin, indometacin, diclofenak and ibuprofen. Severe GIH occurred in 28.9% cases, moderate and mild ones in 20.8 and 50.3%, respectively.

Conclusion: To reduce the incidence of GIH, it is necessary to take preventive measures against NSAId-gastropathies.