Low-dose acetylsalicylic acid and gastrointestinal ulcers or bleeding - a cohort study of the effects of proton pump inhibitor use patterns

Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between proton pump inhibitor (PPI) usage patterns and risk of severe gastrointestinal events in patients treated with low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (LDA). Design and setting A nationwide cohort study in Sweden. Patients All Swedish residents 40years of age, without cancer and receiving LDA treatment (80% adherence for 365days between 2005 and 2009) were identified in the Swedish Prescription Register. Continuous PPI use was defined as >60 of 90days covered by daily PPI doses and further divided into high (80%) or moderate (<80) adherence. All other PPI use was defined as intermittent use. Main outcome measures The risk of a combined end-point of gastrointestinal ulcer or bleeding was analysed using Cox proportional hazard models. We also investigated risk of >45days of LDA treatment interruption. Results During a median follow-up of 2.5years, 7880 of 648807 (1.2%) LDA-treated patients experienced gastrointestinal events. In multivariable-adjusted models, both intermittent-PPI and no-PPI use were associated with increased risk of gastrointestinal ulcers or bleeding compared with continuous PPI use with a high level of adherence [hazard ratio (HR) 1.83 (95% CI 1.66-2.02) and 1.14 (95% CI 1.05-1.23), respectively]. Amongst continuous PPI users, moderate adherence also increased the risk of gastrointestinal ulcers or bleeding [HR 1.22 (95% CI 1.07-1.40)]. The risk of LDA treatment interruption was higher with intermittent PPI use [HR 1.16 (95% CI 1.14-1.19)] than continuous PPI use with high adherence. Conclusions In this large cohort of LDA users, intermittent PPI use was associated with higher risk of gastrointestinal ulcers or bleeding and interrupted LDA treatment, compared with continuous PPI use.