NSAID-related gastrointestinal injury. Evidence-based approach to a preventable complication.

NSAID-induced gastrointestinal mucosal injury and its subsequent complications are a tremendously important clinical problem. Effective prophylactic and treatment strategies involve proton pump inhibitors, misoprostol, or selective COX-2 inhibitors. These agents are capable of dramatically decreasing or eliminating the risk of mucosal injury as well as the morbidity and mortality for this disorder. Identification of the at-risk patient and initiation of appropriate preventive therapy are the keys to minimizing the societal burden of this disease process.