OBJECTIVES: Discontinuation of low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) therapy may increase the risk of ischemic events. This study evaluated the risk of ischemic stroke (IS) and TIA after low-dose ASA discontinuation in patients with cardiovascular disease or cerebrovascular disease. METHODS: The Health Improvement Network UK primary care database was used to identify a cohort of individuals aged 50-84 years with a first prescription for low-dose ASA (75-300 mg/day) for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events in 2000-2007 (n = 39,512). Individuals were followed up for a mean of 3.4 years to identify cases of IS/TIA. Nested case-control analyses were used to assess risk factors for IS/TIA, including low-dose ASA discontinuation. RESULTS: The overall incidence of IS/TIA was 5.0 per 1,000 person-years (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.6-5.4). IS/TIA was significantly more common in patients with a previous diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease (relative risk [RR] 2.79; 95% CI 2.05-3.80) or atrial fibrillation (RR 1.71; 95% CI 1.28-2.29) than in those without these conditions. Compared with current users of low-dose ASA, those who discontinued treatment 31-180 days before the index date had a significantly increased overall risk of IS/TIA (RR 1.40; 95% CI 1.03-1.92). The most common reason for discontinuation was patient nonadherence. CONCLUSION: In patients prescribed low-dose ASA for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events, discontinuation of low-dose ASA was associated with a 40% increase in the risk of IS/TIA compared with continuation of therapy. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class III evidence that discontinuation of low-dose ASA is associated with a 40% increased risk of stroke within 31-180 days of discontinuation.
OBJECTIVES: Discontinuation of low-dose acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) therapy may increase the risk of ischemic events. This study evaluated the risk of ischemic stroke (IS) and TIA after low-dose ASA discontinuation in patients with cardiovascular disease or cerebrovascular disease. METHODS: The Health Improvement Network UK primary care database was used to identify a cohort of individuals aged 50-84 years with a first prescription for low-dose ASA (75-300 mg/day) for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events in 2000-2007 (n = 39,512). Individuals were followed up for a mean of 3.4 years to identify cases of IS/TIA. Nested case-control analyses were used to assess risk factors for IS/TIA, including low-dose ASA discontinuation. RESULTS: The overall incidence of IS/TIA was 5.0 per 1,000 person-years (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.6-5.4). IS/TIA was significantly more common in patients with a previous diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease (relative risk [RR] 2.79; 95% CI 2.05-3.80) or atrial fibrillation (RR 1.71; 95% CI 1.28-2.29) than in those without these conditions. Compared with current users of low-dose ASA, those who discontinued treatment 31-180 days before the index date had a significantly increased overall risk of IS/TIA (RR 1.40; 95% CI 1.03-1.92). The most common reason for discontinuation was patient nonadherence. CONCLUSION: In patients prescribed low-dose ASA for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events, discontinuation of low-dose ASA was associated with a 40% increase in the risk of IS/TIA compared with continuation of therapy. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class III evidence that discontinuation of low-dose ASA is associated with a 40% increased risk of stroke within 31-180 days of discontinuation.
Authors: Vera E Valkhoff; Miriam C J M Sturkenboom; Catherine Hill; Sander Veldhuyzen van Zanten; Ernst J Kuipers Journal: Can J Gastroenterol Date: 2013-03 Impact factor: 3.522
Authors: Wardati Mazlan-Kepli; Rachael L Macisaac; Matthew Walters; Philip Michael William Bath; Jesse Dawson Journal: Br J Clin Pharmacol Date: 2017-04-20 Impact factor: 4.335
Authors: Melissa J Armstrong; Gary Gronseth; David C Anderson; José Biller; Brett Cucchiara; Rima Dafer; Larry B Goldstein; Michael Schneck; Steven R Messé Journal: Neurology Date: 2013-05-28 Impact factor: 9.910
Authors: Monica L Wagner; Jane C Khoury; Kathleen Alwell; Eric Rademacher; Daniel Woo; Matthew L Flaherty; Aaron M Anderson; Opeolu Adeoye; Simona Ferioli; Brett M Kissela; Dawn Kleindorfer; Joseph P Broderick Journal: J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis Date: 2016-01-28 Impact factor: 2.136