Toxicity of NSAIDs in the stomach and duodenum.

NSAIDs are widely used for analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic indications. Such use carries the risk of gastrointestinal complications (1% over 6 months) which NSAIDs may promote from both ulcerous and nonulcerous lesions. Symptoms are poor predictors of serious lesions and complications, which may occur without previous symptoms. NSAIDs also delay healing of peptic ulcers, even to the extent of intractability, and may cause recurrence after gastric surgery. Prophylactic therapy is indicated in high-risk patients (age > 60 years, previous ulcer history, high dose, concomitant use of corticosteroids or anticoagulants). Misoprostol, omeprazole and high-dose famotidine have been shown to reduce the occurrence of both gastric and duodenal ulcers in NSAID users. At present, the role of Helicobacter pylori in NSAID-induced gastroduodenal lesions is controversial and there is no agreement in considering the organism as a risk factor and indicating its eradication in NSAID users.