Digestive diseases and sciences
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Although nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) use is strongly associated with both upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) and lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB), few data exist regarding the outcome of the bleeding episode for those consuming these drugs. Consecutive patients with UGIB or LGIB evaluated during the period August 1, 1990 through September 30, 1994 at a large inner city hospital were prospectively identified. Both prescription and over-the-counter NSAID use was specifically evaluated. ⋯ NSAID users with LGIB were more likely to be female, although rebleeding (19% vs 21%), hospital stay, and in-hospital mortality (5% vs 2%) were not significantly different between users and nonusers. UGIB in NSAID users appears to have a better prognosis as compared to nonusers. In contrast, NSAID use does not appear to be associated with outcome in patients with LGIB.