The prevalence of intolerance for low-dose acetylsalicylacid in the secondary prevention of atherothrombosis.

Daily low-dose acetylsalicylacid (ASA) is prescribed to patients with atherothrombosis frequently to prevent vascular complications. In reports on complications and side effects of low-dose ASA use in the literature there is a range of definitions. We explored the incidence, characteristics and consequences of symptoms suggestive of ASA intolerance in patients on low-dose ASA. General practitioners and specialists in 105 centres were asked to review their patient files for the last 10 consecutive patients who were prescribed ASA. Participating patients completed a questionnaire about their current ASA use (doctors completed the questionnaire together with the patients), use of co-medication and symptoms suggestive of ASA intolerance. A total of 947 patients were included in this study. Sixty patients (6.6%) had ceased ASA treatment, predominantly because of the occurrence of side effects suspected to be caused by ASA use. A quarter of the patients concomitantly used an anti-acid agent. Of the 947 patients, 271 (30.6%) indicated symptoms during ASA intake. The most common symptoms were related to the gastrointestinal tract (25.1%). In patients prescribed a low-dose of ASA monotherapy, side effects suggestive of intolerance are common. More awareness should be created to detect and treat these symptoms, because the occurrence of side effects is the most important reason for patients to discontinue ASA treatment.