Effect of aspirin on liver tests in patients with RA or SLE and in normal volunteers.

Aspirin was given to 20 patients with RA, 16 patients with SLE, and 3 normal volunteers. Four of the RA patients, 7 of the SLE patients, and 1 normal volunteer developed abnormal liver tests, during the study. The abnormalities (elevated transaminases) were most frequent and of rapid onset in patients with cliniclaly active SLE. Increases in BUN and creatinine related to aspirin were observed in several subjects. In a retrospective survey of 80 patients with SLE, aspirin appeared responsible for two-thirds of episodes of liver test abnormalities in 19 patients.