INTRODUCTION: Millions of adults worldwide use low-dose aspirin for secondary prevention of heart disease. Results of randomized trials indicate that regular use of low-dose aspirin may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by more than 20%, leading to speculation of its chemoprevention role for high-risk groups. Little is known, however, about the use of aspirin in our community. OBJECTIVE: To determine aspirin use and therapy compliance (never or rarely missing a dose) and to assess whether patients in our community are aware of its anticancer effect. METHODS: Observational study. Prospective data were collected during a 1-year period from patients in our general surgical clinic regarding aspirin use, comorbidities, adverse effects, and awareness of anticancer effect. Statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: Among aspirin users (n = 137), the mean age was 65.8 years. Most (76.6%) received an 81-mg daily dose of aspirin. Compliance was 25.6% and was significantly associated with diabetes mellitus (p = 0.0028). Only 9.5% were aware of the medication's anticancer effect. Among nonusers (n = 383), the mean age was 53.3 years, a significant difference vs that of aspirin users (p < 0.001). Only 4.7% of nonusers knew of the anticancer effect. Nonusers were more likely to be women (p = 0.0005), younger than age 40 years (p < 0.0001), and have comorbidities or polypharmacy (p = 0.002). No significant difference was found between groups in anticoagulants use, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, and smoking. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of aspirin's anticancer effect is low. More research is required to understand why aspirin compliance is also low.
INTRODUCTION: Millions of adults worldwide use low-dose aspirin for secondary prevention of heart disease. Results of randomized trials indicate that regular use of low-dose aspirin may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by more than 20%, leading to speculation of its chemoprevention role for high-risk groups. Little is known, however, about the use of aspirin in our community. OBJECTIVE: To determine aspirin use and therapy compliance (never or rarely missing a dose) and to assess whether patients in our community are aware of its anticancer effect. METHODS: Observational study. Prospective data were collected during a 1-year period from patients in our general surgical clinic regarding aspirin use, comorbidities, adverse effects, and awareness of anticancer effect. Statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: Among aspirin users (n = 137), the mean age was 65.8 years. Most (76.6%) received an 81-mg daily dose of aspirin. Compliance was 25.6% and was significantly associated with diabetes mellitus (p = 0.0028). Only 9.5% were aware of the medication's anticancer effect. Among nonusers (n = 383), the mean age was 53.3 years, a significant difference vs that of aspirin users (p < 0.001). Only 4.7% of nonusers knew of the anticancer effect. Nonusers were more likely to be women (p = 0.0005), younger than age 40 years (p < 0.0001), and have comorbidities or polypharmacy (p = 0.002). No significant difference was found between groups in anticoagulants use, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, and smoking. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of aspirin's anticancer effect is low. More research is required to understand why aspirin compliance is also low.
Authors: Louise Bowman; Marion Mafham; Karl Wallendszus; Will Stevens; Georgina Buck; Jill Barton; Kevin Murphy; Theingi Aung; Richard Haynes; Jolyon Cox; Aleksandra Murawska; Allen Young; Michael Lay; Fang Chen; Emily Sammons; Emma Waters; Amanda Adler; Jonathan Bodansky; Andrew Farmer; Roger McPherson; Andrew Neil; David Simpson; Richard Peto; Colin Baigent; Rory Collins; Sarah Parish; Jane Armitage Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 2018-08-26 Impact factor: 91.245
Authors: Jeffrey J VanWormer; Robert T Greenlee; Patrick E McBride; Paul E Peppard; Kristen C Malecki; Jianhong Che; F Javier Nieto Journal: J Fam Pract Date: 2012-09 Impact factor: 0.493