Aspirin has long been hailed as an effective, low-cost way to help guard against a heart attack or stroke, but now scientists are warning of ulcers.
Medical researchers say they've determined even low doses of aspirin increase a patient's chance of developing an ulcer, often without warning signs.
The study measured prevalence and incidence of gastroduodenal ulcers among 187 aspirin therapy patients and found 1-in-10 taking low-dose aspirin developed a stomach ulcer, with patients 70 years or older, as well as those infected with the bacterium "Helicobacter pylori," three times more at risk.
Despite their ulcers, the patients experienced virtually no warning symptoms, such as indigestion, abdominal pain or acid reflux.
The study was led by, Professor Neville Yeomans, dean of the University of Western Sydney's Medical School.
"Aspirin can be of great benefit to those at high risk of a heart attack or stroke, but the risks as well as the benefits need to be carefully weighed before embarking on its long-term use in people who are at only low cardiovascular risk," said Yeomans.
The study appears in the journal Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics.
© Copyright 2005 by United Press International
