MEDIA RELEASE
18th January 2008
Response to BMJ Online First article ‘Aspirin “resistance”
and risk of cardiovascular morbidity: systematic review and meta-analysis
The Aspirin Foundation has seen the review article(1), published
today
( bmj.com,) regarding aspirin ‘resistance’ and cardiovascular
disease.
Nick Henderson, Executive Director comments, “ It is already
known that some patients do not respond to low dose aspirin prophylaxis.
Some work in the United States suggests that at least a proportion
of the people identified as non- responders, are failing to comply
with the dosage on a regular basis. In total compliance studies
effectiveness is as high as 51%. Lower levels of benefit however
were observed when patients were taking aspirin intermittently
and not consistently. However there is a strong international
body of evidence(2) showing that aspirin for most patients at
risk of, or following a primary episode, benefit from a daily
regime of low dose aspirin. We welcome this review which demonstrates
the need to investigate the reasons for non-response and whether
it is in any way influenced by non compliance of patients. We
would support any additional research regarding aspirin-‘resistance’
in different patient groups.”
Ends
Notes to Editors
• Aspirin is recommended for the prevention and treatment
of various aspects of cardiovascular disease in management guidelines
published in the UK(3)(4) and Europe(5).
• Aspirin has been available for over 100 years and is used
by millions of people to effectively treat pain, reduce inflammation
and to reduce fever/raised temperatures.
• Aspirin is the most widely used medicine in the world
with an estimated 100 billion tablets swallowed every year.
• Aspirin substantially reduces the risk of heart disease
and stroke in millions of people in the UK alone, by virtue of
its anticoagulant properties.
References:
1. http://press.psprings.co.uk/bmj/january/aspirin.pdf
2. Antithrombotic Trialists’ Collaboration. Collaborative
meta-analysis of randomized trials of antiplatelet therapy for
prevention of death, myocardial infarction, and stroke in high
risk patients. BMJ 2002;324:71-86
3. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, www.nice.org.uk
4. Scottish InterCollegiates Network, www.sign.ac.uk
5. European Society of Cardiology, www.escardio.org
