Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Acta Medica Mediterranea, cilt.31, sa.3, ss.621-625, 2015 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Background: Our aim was to investigate the aspirin usage patterns of patients and to determine if patients are taking medication regularly and appropriately caring with the interaction with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Methods: This study was performed between March-July 2014 in primary health care clinics. Six different cities from different geographic regions of our country (Eskişehir, Kütahya, Ankara, Karaman, Rize, Sakarya) were randomly selected. Patients taking aspirin for at least one year period were included in the study on a voluntary basis. Our questionnaire was containing questions about indication, regular use of aspirin (at least three times a week for the last 3 months from the date of interview for any condition at any dose; taking aspirin or aspirin-containing products), concomitant use of NSAIDs and gastro-protective agents, duration of aspirin therapy and daily use of other drugs was asked to participants. Results: Five hundred and ninety two subjects (268 females, 324 males) were included in the study. Mean age was 65.9±28.0 years. In our study population, 85.3% were taking aspirin regularly. The most commonly used daily dose of aspirin was 100 mg (79.6%). Among all aspirin-receiving participants, 45.2% were also taking an NSAID. Three hundred one patients were 65 years and older, and 49.8% of them were using aspirin concomitant with NSAIDs. Conclusions: It was found that usage of NSAIDs concomitant with aspirin was high in our study population. Such finding can be the reason for recurrent cardiovascular diseases and also aspirin resistance. Patients should be informed about risks, and they should be advised not to use even any over-the-counter medications or dietary supplements without consulting to the healthcare team first.