EFFECT OF NONSTEROIDAL ANTIINFLAMMATORY D RUGS ON THE GASTROINTESTINAL-TRACT - CLINICAL-FEATURES AND PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

The major gastrointestinal side effects of nonsteroidal antiinflammato ry drugs (NSAID) mainly occur in the stomach and duodenum. Acute mucos al lesions are almost always seen but only 50% of patients complain of -upper abdominal discomfort. NSAIDs elevate the risk of ulcerations of the stomach or duodenum 4 to 5 fold. Side effects in the small bowel are due to elevated intestinal permeability which may lead to inflamma tory reactions, chronic blood loss and iron deficiency. Ulceration, pe rforation and strictures of the small and large bowel may also occur i n rare cases.