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PREVALENCE AND SEVERITY OF SIDE EFFECTS AT THE LEVEL OF THE GASTRO-DUODENAL MUCOSA INDUCED BY ADMINISTRATION OF NSAIDs IN PATIENTS WITH OR WITHOUT PATHOLOGICAL DIGESTIVE HISTORY

MIHAELA SIMONA POPOVICIU 1, DANA CARMEN ZAHA 1, SIMONA CAVALU 1*

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Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used for pain and cardiovascular prevention, but frequently cause upper gastrointestinal complications. This retrospective study included 286 hospitalized patients with gastrointestinal symptoms after NSAID use (acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), diclofenac, indomethacin, phenylbutazone). We analysed prescription status, dosage, duration and endoscopic findings in patients with or without pathological digestive history (PDH). AAS was most frequently used (44.8%), followed by self-medication at 38.5%. PDH was present in 49.3% of patients, mainly ulcerative pain syndrome. Acute erosive gastritis was the most common lesion (45.1%), followed by duodenal ulcer (22.4%). Patients with PDH had a 1.6-fold higher risk of erosive gastritis and 2.6-fold higher risk of upper digestive bleeding (UDB) than those without PDH. AAS was associated with the highest UDB prevalence (15.6%). These findings highlight the need for careful patient stratification, gastroprotection in high-risk groups and stricter regulation of NSAID self-medication to reduce severe gastrointestinal complications.