Low-dose aspirin and gastric and duodenal mucosal damage in the elderly

Objective: To confirm the damage of gastric and duodenal mucosa associated with low dose aspirin (ASA, ≤100 mg Daily) in the elderly. Methods: Case control study was performed between 41 elderly patients taking with low dose ASA and 97 cases without doing. The damage lesions of gastric and duodenal mucosa were investigated by endoscopy and biopsy. Results: The rate of the gastric mucosal lesion in ASA group (58.5%) was significantly higher than that in control group (35.4%, P=0. 012). However, the rate of duodenal mucosal lesion in ASA group was similar to the control group (4.9% VS 5.2%, P=0.936). The rate of superficial mucosal damage (erosion and bleeding gastritis) in ASA group (51.2%) was significantly higher than control group (32.3%, P=0. 037). The difference of gastric and duodenal ulcer between two groups (9.8% and 9.4% respectively) was not significant (P=0. 994). Conclusion: Low-dose ASA may damage gastric mucosa and cause gastric superficial mucosal lesions in the elderly.