Reducing the Gastrointestinal Risks of Low-Dose Aspirin

Comparison of strategies for prevention of upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding with aspirin. The adjusted relative risks (and 95% confidence intervals) of hospitalizations for upper GI bleeding in Spain are presented in this case-control study of 2777 cases of patients with upper GI bleeding and 5532 controls without bleeding. The relative-risks of upper GI bleeding with nitrates, H₂-receptor antagonists, and proton pump inhibitors are shown compared with bleeding rates associated with aspirin without cotherapy. (Figure constructed using data presented in Lanas et al.²⁴)