Epidemiology and role of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs in causing gastrointestinal bleeding.

This article outlines the epidemiology and role of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in causing gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. The morbidity and mortality associated with NSAID-induced GI bleeding are discussed, and the mechanisms of NSAID-related GI injury, the potency of various NSAIDs, new NSAIDs associated with a decrease in GI pathology, dual-acting antiinflammatory drugs, hydrogen sulfide-releasing NSAIDs, lipoxygenase/cyclooxygenase, phospholipid NSAIDs, and the comprehensive effects of NSAIDs on the GI tract are described.