Endoscopic Evaluation of the Effects of Aspirin, Buffered Aspirin, and Enteric-Coated Aspirin on Gastric and Duodenal Mucosa

Abstract

THE damaging effect of aspirin on the gastric mucosa has been well documented by endoscopy^{1 2 3 4 5 6} and by studies of fecal blood loss.^{7 , 8} Because of the unquestioned value of aspirin in the therapy of rheumatoid diseases and other painful musculoskeletal disorders, various buffered and enteric-coated aspirin compounds have been developed in an attempt to circumvent this serious problem. Our study had two purposes: to determine by an endoscopic technique in a controlled prospective manner whether buffering or enteric coating was effective in ameliorating this major side effect of aspirin therapy; and to observe concurrently whether the changes seen in the gastric . . .