Small Intestinal Mucosal Injury not Associated with Acute Gastrointestinal bleeding Induced by Aspirin: a retrospective observational study

Abstract

Background To investigate the characteristics of small intestinal injuries and its association with upper gastrointestinal ulcers and Helicobacter pylori infection in aspirin induced acute gastrointestinal bleeding patients. Methods Esophagogastroduodenoscopy and capsule endoscopy were used to examine the gastrointestinal injuries. Serum antibody was used to test the history of Helicobacter pylori infection. Clinical history, underlying diseases, the duration of aspirin use, and proton pump inhibitors use were recorded. Results A total of 72 patients were involved with 58 cases (80.6%) of active upper gastrointestinal peptic ulcers and 9 cases (12.5%) with small intestinal injuries (erosive/ulcerative lesions). Fifty percent of patients (36 cases) was reported Helicobacter pylori infection. Conclusions It was upper gastrointestinal ulcers that accounting for most of aspirin-induced acute gastrointestinal bleeding instead of the intestinal mucosal injuries.