[Use of acetylsalicylic acid and other antiphlogistics in hematemesis/melena].

The use of acetylsalicylic acid and other non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs was studied prospectively in 207 patients admitted for suspected upper gastrointestinal bleeding. In addition to detailed drug history, plasma samples for drug analyses were obtained from the majority of the patients. 64 of the patients admitted recent intake of ulcerogenic drugs, and the plasma samples revealed another 11 users. Acetylsalicylic acid was the most prevalent substance, but all available non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs were represented in the material. Gastroduodenal ulcers were found in 94 (44%) of the patients; two thirds of the users and one third of the non-users. Gastric ulcer was slightly more prevalent than duodenal ulcer in both groups. Six patients with drug-associated bleeding had previously had a verified drug-associated ulcer. Only 12 users and 16 non-users denied dyspeptic complaints before admission. The users were older, they generally had a lower Hgb on admission than non-users had, and a slightly higher transfusion requirement, but these factors did not result in significant differences as to clinical outcome. The drug analyses of plasma samples showed a discrepancy to the anamnestic data in 25% of the patients and may be a useful addition to drug history in these studies.