Daily aspirin does not impact clinical outcomes in IBD

WASHINGTON — Results of a single-center analysis showed that daily aspirin use did not impact clinical outcomes in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, according to a study presented at Digestive Disease Week 2018.

“Despite the many advantages of aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, have been associated in some studies with adverse events in patients with IBD,” Parita Patel, MD, from the University of Chicago, said in her presentation. “As the rate of coronary artery disease rises and the age of patients with inflammatory bowel disease decreases, more patients will be treated with aspirin. As a result, it is essential to investigate the outcomes of aspirin use in comorbid illnesses such as IBD.”

To investigate the outcomes of aspirin use in patients with IBD, Patel and colleagues retrospectively analyzed data of 174 patients on aspirin and 590 patients not on aspirin, with no statistical difference in demographics between the groups. Among patients on daily aspirin, 74% received 81 mg and 26% received less than 81 mg.

After controlling for covariables and length of follow-up in the entire population, the researchers found that aspirin did not correlate with hospitalization risk for IBD-related complications, corticosteroid use, or having an IBD-related surgery.

Younger patients (P < .0001) and those with cardiac comorbidities (P < .0001) were more likely to be hospitalized; cardiac comorbidity (P = .04) and biologic use (P = .0001) correlated with a higher rate of surgery; and biologic use correlated with steroid use (P = .0001).

While the rate of hospitalization and surgery were not significantly different between patients on 81 mg of aspirin and those on less than 81 mg of aspirin, patients who received more than 81 mg were more likely to also receive steroids (P = .003).

A subanalysis of the 611 patients with Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis showed no correlation between aspirin use and increased rates of hospitalization, surgery or steroid use.

“Although the effect of aspirin use on mucosal inflammation was not directly assessed in this study, these findings support the safety of daily aspirin use in this population,” Patel concluded. “We plan to further investigate the effect of aspirin dose, specifically looking at 81 mg vs. 325 mg, and other subgroup analyses.” – by Talitha Bennett

Reference:

Patel P, et al. Abstract 94. Presented at: Digestive Disease Week; June 2-5, 2018; Washington, D.C.

Disclosure: Patel reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the DDW faculty disclosure index for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.