BACKGROUND Two major causes of gastric ulcers are Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use. AIMS This study aimed to determine if there were different expressions of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) between H. pylori-infected and NSAID-related ulcers. METHODS The 126 gastric ulce...

AIM To assess the appropriateness of gastroprotection in nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) users by primary care physicians. BACKGROUND A gastroprotective therapy is advised in NSAID users who are at a high risk for developing gastrointestinal side effects. However, an inappropriate (overuse/underuse) prescription of gastroprotection has been reported. STUDY This was a cross-secti...

BACKGROUND Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) has been associated with a decrease in breast cancer risk, but it is unknown if they also reduce mammographic density, a strong intermediate marker of breast cancer risk. METHODS We investigated NSAID use and mammographic density in 29,284 postmenopausal women who had two screening mammograms at Group Health in Seattle. We used ph...

Chronic inflammation may play an etiologic role in endometrial cancer. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) reduce inflammatory activity by inhibiting the proinflammatory cyclooxygenase enzymes and, therefore, may decrease cancer risk. However, few studies have examined the association between NSAID use and endometrial cancer. We conducted a prospective study among 72,524 women in the ...

AIM Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) enteropathy is a cause of chronic blood and protein loss from the intestine. The aim of this investigation was to compare NSAID enteropathy with enteropathy not related to chronic NSAID use. PATIENTS/METHODS During the period 1967-97, 12 cases of non-specific small intestinal multiple ulcers were laparotomised because of chronic and persistent ...

AIM To assess primary care physician perceptions of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and aspirin-associated toxicity. METHODS A group of gastroenterologists and internal medicine physicians created a survey, which was administered via the Internet to a large number of primary care physicians from across the US. RESULTS One thousand primary care physicians participated. Almost on...

BACKGROUND The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is associated with serious adverse drug events (ADEs). AIM To determine the prevalence of over-the-counter (OTC) NSAID use in the general population and in patients with a high risk of developing a serious NSAID-related ADE. DESIGN AND SETTING Cross-sectional study in four general practices in the Netherlands. METHOD Two...

OBJECTIVE To verify the gastroprotective agent (GPA) rate assumption used in cost-effectiveness models for cyclo-oxygenase 2 inhibitors (COX-2s) and to re-estimate model outcomes using GPA rates from actual practice. METHODS Prescription and medical claims data obtained from January 1, 1999, through May 31, 2001, from a large preferred provider organization in the Midwest, were used to estima...

BACKGROUND Results from prospective studies suggest that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) may decrease lung cancer risk; however, any protective effect appears to be most evident in men. METHODS We evaluated the associations between NSAID use and lung cancer incidence in postmenopausal women in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) adjusting for female-specific potential confounders...