RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: The association of low-dose aspirin use and gastro-intestinal bleeding is well described. However, the gastroduodenal mucosal changes associated with low-dose aspirin therapy have not been properly evaluated. We undertook a prospective, endoscopic study to evaluate gastro-duodenal mucosal lesions produced by low-dose aspirin. METHODS: Forty-seven patients with non-hemorrhagic cerebral infarct or transient ischemic attacks and normal upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were randomized to receive either enteric-coated (n=25) or plain (n=22) aspirin (150 mg/day). Follow-up endoscopy was done at 2, 4 and 8 weeks; gastro-duodenal mucosal lesions, if present, were scored. Forty-seven patients with hemorrhagic infarct who were not treated with aspirin served as controls. RESULTS: Twenty eight (60%) of 47 patients receiving aspirin had mucosal lesions; stomach alone was the most frequent site (32%), followed by both stomach and duodenum (23%). Frequency of mucosal changes in the stomach at 8 weeks (19%) was significantly lower (p<0.05) than those at 2 weeks (53%) and 4 weeks (55%). Coated (56%) and plain (63.6%) aspirin induced mucosal lesions with similar frequency. CONCLUSION: Administration of low-dose aspirin, either plain or enteric-coated, induces endoscopic gastro-duodenal mucosal lesions in a large majority of patients. The frequency of damage decreased after 8 weeks of therapy.
Assuntos
Adulto , Idoso , Anti-Inflamatórios não Esteroides/administração & dosagem , Aspirina/administração & dosagem , Infarto Cerebral/tratamento farmacológico , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Esquema de Medicação , Endoscopia Gastrointestinal/métodos , Feminino , Seguimentos , Mucosa Gástrica/efeitos dos fármacos , Humanos , Mucosa Intestinal/efeitos dos fármacos , Ataque Isquêmico Transitório/tratamento farmacológico , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Prospectivos , Valores de Referência , Medição de Risco , Fatores de Risco , Estatísticas não Paramétricas , Comprimidos com Revestimento EntéricoRESUMO
Serum zinc, copper, calcium and magnesium levels were estimated by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in 56 leprosy patients comprising 14 BT, 12 BB, 11 BL and 19 LL. These findings were evaluated in comparison to 42 normal subjects serving as controls. A significant elevation of serum copper was recorded while reduction in zinc, calcium and magnesium was noted throughout the leprosy spectrum. The findings of our study are of considerable importance and need to be taken note of in the light of delineating these alterations to be the cause or effect of the disease.