The study from the journal, BMC Medicine says that a low-dose aspirin treatment could lead to one extra case of gastrointestinal complication - ulcer bleeding or perforation - among every 50 aspirin users each year in predisposed groups i.e. older men with peptic ulcer history.
Sonia Hernandez Diaz and Luis Garcia Rodriguez looked at two anonymous groups of patient records: the General Practice Research Database in the UK and the Base de Datos para la Investigacion Farmacoepidemiologica en Atencion Primaria in Spain.
Common risk factors for upper GI tract complications are advanced age, male sex, a history of ulcer, as well as us of other NSAIDs [non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs].
The scientists came up with an estimation of the "excess gastrointestinal risk" attributed to aspirin use by comparing the patients with and without the aforementioned risk factors.
Diaz and Rodriguez observed that 88% of aspirin-takers were above 60; 52-54% turned out to be male.
A cross-section of all risk groups, the use of aspirin accounted for an extra 5-6 cases of upper GI tract complications for 1,000 aspirin users every year.
The authors of the study also felt that the excess risk was more in populations such as older men or patients with a history of peptic ulcer, who were at higher risk for GI complications.
They also speculate that aspirin use may be accountable for 20 cases for every 1,000 aspirin users every year in men who are over 70, having a history of peptic ulcer.
