Striking prevalence of over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use in patients with upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

Abstract

Over-the-counter NSAID use is frequent in our patient population and exceeds prescription use. Although ulcer-related bleeding was significantly associated with use of these drugs, NSAIDs were commonly used in patients with nonulcer-related upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage as well. Over-the-counter NSAID use may represent a more important cause of peptic ulcer disease and ulcer-related hemorrhage than previously appreciated.