[Present status of gastrointestinal damage due to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)].

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are roughly divided into a low-dose aspirin group used for primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events and non-aspirin NSAIDs used for treatment of bone and joint diseases. Both cause gastrointestinal damage directly or indirectly. In the present study, we reviewed gastrointestinal damage due to non-aspirin NSAIDs with respect to the esophagus, stomach/duodenum, small intestine and colon. Damage due to NSAIDs occurs in all digestive tracts and since the analgesic effect of NSIADs hides subjective symptoms, the symptoms are often not treated until they are advanced to a serious state. Further, patients receiving NSAIDs are mostly elderly and have complications so that the onset of the conditions is serious and prevention is important. It is necessary to investigate a method that is effective for preventing damage for all digestive tracts and the mechanisms of damage must be understood for this reason.