Trends in gastrointestinal bleeding in the Region of Valencia (2000-2005). Relationship to sales of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and acid suppression medication.

OBJECTIVE: To describe 2000-2005 time trends of prescription for NSAIDs, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and hospital admissions for gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding.
METHODS: Time series analysis of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding admission and drugs' Defined Daily Dose per 1000 people per day (DDD/1000/day) in the Region of Valencia, Spain, from January 2000 to December 2005.
RESULTS: Dispensation of NSAIDs went from 42.7 DDD/1000 people/day in 2000 to 58.3 DDD/1000 people/day in 2005. During the same period, dispensation of PPIs went from 26.3 DDD/1000 people/day to 68.5 DDD/1000 people/day (both are statistically significant). The rate of hospitalisations for gastrointestinal bleeding during this period oscillated between 142 and 126 admission per 100 000 inhabitants/year. No year showed significant differences compared to 2000.
CONCLUSION: A substantial increase in the NSAID use from 2000 to 2005 was not accompanied by changes in GI bleeding hospitalisation rates in Valencia, but GI bleeding rates continued to be high, suggesting a need to improve NSAIDs use.