Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) account for a large part of prescriptions
and self-administered medication worldwide. The adverse effects on the upper gastrointestinal
tract are well documented. However, in an increasing number of publications adverse
effects in the small and large intestine distal to the duodenum are being reported.
This paper provides an updated review of current as well as earlier literature on
the pathogenesis of such adverse effects and the potential damage to the small and
large bowel caused by NSAID. In addition, suggestions for an appropriate diagnostic
workup of NSAID damage are discussed.
References
- 1
Barrier C H, Hirschowitz B I.
Controversies in the detection and management of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced
side-effects of the upper gastrointestinal tract.
Arthritis Rheum.
1989;
32
926-932
- 2
Bloom B S.
Risk and cost of gastrointestinal side-effects associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs.
Arch Intern Med.
1989;
149
1019-1022
- 3
Langman M J.
Epidemiologic evidence on the association between peptic ulceration and antiinflammatory
drug use.
Gastroenterology.
1989;
96
640-646
- 4
Griffin M R.
Epidemiology of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-associated gastrointestinal injury.
Am J Med.
1998;
104
23-29S
- 5
Griffin M R, Piper J M, Daugherty J R, et al.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use and increased risk for peptic ulcer disease
in elderly persons.
Ann Intern Med.
1991;
114
257-263
- 6
Osnes M, Larsen S, Eidsaunet W, et al.
Effect of diclofenac and naproxen on gastroduodenal mucosa.
Clin Pharmacol Ther.
1979;
26
399-405
- 7
Larkai E N, Smith J L, Lidsky M D, et al.
Gastroduodenal mucosa and dyspeptic symptoms in arthritic patients during chronic
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use.
Am J Gastroenterol.
1987;
82
1153-1158
- 8
Duggan J M, Dobson A J, Johnson H, Fahey P.
Peptic ulcer and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents.
Gut.
1986;
27
929-933
- 9
Traversa G, Walker A M, Ippolito F M, et al.
Gastroduodenal toxicity of different nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs.
Epidemiology.
1995;
6
49-54
- 10
Waye J D.
Enteroscopy.
Gastrointest Endosc.
1997;
46
247-256
- 11
Larkai E N, Smith J L, Lidsky M D, et al.
Gastroduodenal mucosa and dyspeptic symptoms in arthritic patients during chronic
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use.
Am J Gastroenterol.
1987;
82
1153-1158
- 12
Bellary S V, Isaacs P E, Lee F I.
Upper gastrointestinal lesions in elderly patients presenting for endoscopy; relevance
of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug usage.
Am J Gastroenterol.
1991;
86
961-964
- 13
Baker P N, Williamson J G, Louden K A.
Possible low-dose-aspirin-induced gastropathy.
Lancet.
1992;
339
550
- 14
Wallace J L, Bak A, McKnight W, et al.
Cyclooxygenase 1 contributes to inflammatory responses in rats and mice: implications
for gastrointestinal toxicity.
Gastroenterology.
1998;
115
101-109
- 15
Hawkey C, Kahan A, Steinbruck K, et al.
Gastrointestinal tolerability of meloxicam compared to diclofenac in osteoarthritis
patients. International MELISSA study group. Meloxicam large-scale international study
safety assessment.
Br J Rheumatol.
1998;
37
937-945
- 16
Gabriel S E, Jaakimainen L, Bombardier C.
Risk for serious gastrointestinal complications related to use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs. A meta-analysis.
Ann Intern Med.
1991;
15
787-796
- 17
Griffin M R, Ray W A, Schaffner W.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use and death from peptic ulcer in elderly patients.
Ann Intern Med.
1988;
109
359-363
- 18
Ivey K J.
Mechanisms of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced gastric damage. Actions
of therapeutic agents.
Am J Med.
1988;
84
41-48
- 19
McCormack K, Brune K.
Classical absorption theory and the development of gastric mucosal damage associated
with the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Arch Toxicol.
1987;
60
261-269
- 20
Yeomans N D, Skeljo M V, Giraud A S.
The role of acid regulation in the treatment of NSAID-induced mucosal damage.
Digestion.
1992;
51
3-10
- 21
Scheiman J M.
NSAID-induced peptic ulcer disease: a critical review of pathogenesis and management.
Dig Dis Sci.
1994;
12
210-222
- 22
Schoen R T, Vender R J.
Mechanisms of nonsteroidal anit-inflammatory drug-induced gastric damage.
Am J Med.
1989;
86
449-458
- 23
Lanza F L.
A guideline for the treatment and prevention of NSAID-induced ulcers.
Am J Gastroenterol.
1998;
93
2037-2046
- 24
Reuter B K, Davies N M, Wallace J L.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug enteropathy in rats: role of permeability, bacteria
and enterohepatic circulation.
Gastroenterology.
1997;
112
109-117
- 25
Bjarnason I, Hayllar J, MacPherson A J, et al.
Sice-effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on the small and large intestine
in humans.
Gastroenterology.
1993;
104
1832-1847
- 26
Wallace J L.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and gastroenteropahty: the second hundred years.
Gastroenterology.
1997;
112
1000-1016
- 27
Allison M C, Howatson A G, Torrance C J, et al.
Gastrointestinal damage associated with the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs.
N Engl J Med.
1992;
327
749-754
- 28
Bjarnason I, Zanelli G, Smith T, et al.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug induced inflammation in humans.
Gastroenterology.
1987;
93
480-489
- 29
Lang J, Price A B, Levi A J.
Diaphragm disease: pathology of disease of the small intestine induced by nonsteroidal
anit-inflammatory drugs.
J Clin Pathol.
1988;
41
516-526
- 30
Speed C A, Bramble M G, Corbett W A, et al.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory induced diaphragm disease of the small intestine: complexities
of diagnosis and management.
Br J Rheumatol.
1994;
33
778-780
- 31
Bjarnason I, Price A B, Zanelli G, et al.
Clinicopathological features of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced small
intestinal strictures.
Gastroenterology.
1988;
94
1070-1074
- 32
Day T K.
Intestinal perforation associated with slow release indomethacin capsules.
Br Med J.
1983;
287
1671-1672
- 33
Laidler P, Maslin S C, Gilhome R W.
What's new in Osmosin and intestinal perforation?.
Path Res Pract.
1985;
180
74-76
- 34
Saw K C, Quick C RG, Higgins A F.
Ileocaecal perforation and bleeding are NSAID responsible?.
J R Sic Med.
1990;
83
114-115
- 35
Langman M JS, Morgan L, Worrall A.
Use of anti-inflammatory drugs by patients with small or large bowel perforation and
haemorrhage.
Br Med J.
1985;
290
347-349
- 36
Wilcox C M, Alexander L N, Cotsonis G, et al.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are associated with both upper and lower gastrointestinal
bleeding.
Dig Dis Sci.
1997;
42
990-997
- 37
Wilson R G, Smith A N, MacIntyre I MC.
Complications of diverticular disease and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. A
prospective study.
Br J Surg.
1990;
77
1103-1104
- 38
Campbell K, Steele R JC.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and complicated diverticular disease: a case-control
study.
Br J Surg.
1991;
78
190-191
- 39
Aldoori W H, Goivannucci E L, Rimm E B, et al.
Use of acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: a prospective study
and the risk of symptomatic diverticular disease in men.
Arch Fam Med.
1998;
7
255-260
- 40
Hall R I, Petty A H, Cobden I.
Enteritis and colitis associated with mefenamic acid.
Br Med J.
1983;
287
1182
- 41
Doman D B, Goldberg H J.
A case of meclofenamate sodium-induced colitis.
Am J Gastroenterol.
1986;
81
1220-1221
- 42
Carson J, Notis W M, Orris E S.
Colonic ulceration and bleeding during diclofenac therapy.
N Engl J Med.
1990;
323
135
- 43
Tanner A R, Raghunat H.
Colonic inflammation and NSAID administration. An assessment of the frequency of the
problem.
Digestion.
1988;
41
116-120
- 44
Rampton D S, Sladen G E.
Relapse of ulcerative protocolitis during treatment with NSAID.
Postgrad Med J.
1981;
57
297-299
- 45
Evans J MM, McMahon A D, Murray F E, et al.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are associated with emergency admission to hospital
for colitis due to inflammatory bowel disease.
Gut.
1997;
40
619-622
- 46
Benz C, Martin W R, Arnold J, et al.
Endoscopic study of the small intestine with push enteroscopy. A prospective study.
Dtsch Med Wochenschr.
1997;
27
391-395
- 47
Morris A J, Madhok R, Sturrock R D.
Enteroscopic diagnosis of small bowel ulceration in patients receiving nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs.
Lancet.
1991;
337
520
- 48
Morris A J, Wasson L A, MacKenzie J F.
Small bowel enteroscopy in undiagnosed gastrointestinal blood loss.
Gut.
1992;
33
887-889
- 49
Abrahamian G A, Polhamus C D, Muskat P, et al.
Diaphragm-like strictures of the ileum associated with NSAID use: a rare complication.
South Med J.
1998;
91
395-397
- 50
Achanta K K, Petros J G, Cave D R, et al.
Use of intraoperative enteroscopy to diagnose nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug
injury to the small intestine.
Gastrointest Endosc.
1999;
49
544-546
- 51
Ress A M, Benacci J C, Sarr M G.
Efficacy of intraoperative enteroscopy in diagnosis and prevention of recurrent, occult
gastrointestinal bleeding.
Am J Surg.
1992;
163
94-98
- 52
Madhok R, MacKenzie J A, Lee F D, et al.
Small bowel ulceration in patients receiving nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
for rheumatoid arthritis.
Q J Med.
1986;
58
53-58
- 53
Bielecki J W, Gebbers J O, Filippini L.
Segmental small intestine lesions after taking nonsteroidal antirheumatic drugs.
Dtsch Med Wochenschr.
1995;
120
436-441
- 54
Matsuhashi N, Yamada A, Hiraishi M, et al.
Multiple strictures of the small intestine after long-term nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drug therapy.
Am J Gastroenterol.
1992;
87
1183-1186
- 55
Kwo P Y, Tremaine W J.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced enteropathy: case discussion and review
of the literature.
Mayo Clin Proc.
1995;
70
55-61
- 56
Zalev A H, Gardiner G W, Warren R E.
NSAID injury to the small intestine.
Abdom Imaging.
1998;
23
40-44
- 57
Bernsdorff K R, Agrawal R M, Brodmerkel G J.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: gastroduodenal injury and beyond.
Digest Dis.
1995;
13
251-266
- 58
Hirschowitz B I.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and the gut.
South Med J.
1996;
89
259-263
- 59
Bjorkman D.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-associated toxicity of the liver, lower gastrointestinal
tract, and esophagus.
Am J Med.
1998;
105
17-21S
- 60
Davies N M, Jamali F, Skeith K J.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced enteropathy and severe chronic anemia
in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis.
Arthritis Rheum.
1996;
39
321-324
- 61
Davies N M, Wallace J L.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced gastrointestinal toxicity: new insights
into an old problem.
J Gastroenterol.
1997;
32
127-133
- 62
Morris A J.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug enteropathy.
Gastrointest Endosc Clin N Am.
1999;
9
125-133
- 63
Bjarnason I, Peters T J.
Influence of anti-rheumatic drugs on gut permeability and on the gut associated lymphoid
tissue.
Baillieres Clin Rheumatol.
1996;
10
165-176
- 64
Davies N M.
Review article: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced gastrointestinal permeability.
Aliment Pharmacol Ther.
1998;
12
303-320
- 65
Kessler W F, Shires G T, Fahey T J.
Surgical complications of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced small bowel
ulceration.
J Am Coll Surg.
1997;
185
250-254
- 66
Bjarnason I, Zanelli G, Prouse P, et al.
Blood and protein loss via small-intestinal inflammation induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Lancet.
1987;
2
711-714
- 67
Sigthorsson G, Tibble J, Hayllar J, et al.
Intestinal permeability and inflammation in patients on NSAID.
Gut.
1998;
43
506-511
- 68
Buchman A L, Schwartz M R.
Colonic ulceration associated with the systemic use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
medication.
J Clin Gastroenterol.
1996;
22
224-226
- 69
Kirsch M.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug colopathy: mimicry of Crohn's disease and colon
carcinoma.
J Clin Gastroenterol.
1997;
24
121-123
- 70
Stamm C, Bukhalter C E, Pearce W, et al.
Benign colonic ulcers associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug ingestion.
Am J Gastroenterol.
1994;
89
2230-2233
- 71
Davies N M.
Toxicity of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the large intestine.
Dis Colon Rectum.
1995;
38
1311-1321
- 72
Faucheron J L, Parc R.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced colitis.
Int J Colorectal Dis.
1996;
11
99-101
- 73
Goff J S, Barnett J L, Pelke T, et al.
Collagenous colitis: histopathology and clinical course.
Am J Gastroenterol.
1997;
92
57-60
- 74
Gentric A, Pennec Y L.
Diclofenac-induced pseudomembraneous colitis.
Lancet.
1992;
340
126-127
- 75
Romero-Gomez M, Suarez Garcia E, Castro Fernandez M.
Pseudomembranous colitis induced by diclofenac.
J Clin Gastroenterol.
1998;
26
228
- 76
Baert F, Hart J, Blackstone M O.
A case of diclofenac-induced colitis with focal granulomatous change.
Am J Gastroenterol.
1995;
90
1871-1873
- 77
Sacanella E, Munoz F, Cardellach F, et al.
Massive haemorrhage due to colitis secondary to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Postgrad Med J.
1996;
72
57-58
- 78
Holt S, Rigoglioso V, Sidhu M, et al.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and lower gastrointestinal bleeding.
Dig Dis Sci.
1993;
38
1619-1623
- 79
Foutch P G.
Diverticular bleeding: are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs risk factors for hemorrhage
and can colonoscopy predict outcome for patients?.
Am J Gastroenterol.
1995;
90
1779-1784
- 80
Peura D A, Lanza F L, Gostout C J, et al.
The America College of Gastroenterology bleeding registry: preliminary findings.
Am J Gastroenterol.
1997;
92
924-928
- 81
Lanas A, Serrano P, Bajador E, et al.
Evidence of aspirin use in both upper and lower gastrointestinal perforation.
Gastroenterology.
1997;
112
683-689
- 82
Gargot D, Chaussade S, d'Alteroche L, et al.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced colonic strictures: two cases and literature
review.
Am J Gastroenterol.
1995;
90
2035-2038
- 83
Eis M F, Watkins B M, Philip A, et al.
Nonsteroidal-induced benign strictures of the colon: a case report and review of the
literature.
Am J Gastroenterol.
1998;
93
120-121
- 84
Miner P B.
Factors influencing the relapse of patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
Am J Gastroenterol.
1997;
92
1-4S
- 85
Gut A, Halter F, Ruchti C.
Nonsteroidal antirheumatic drugs and acetylsalicylic acid: adverse effects distal
to the duodenum.
Schweiz Med Wochenschr.
1996;
126
616-625
A.R. J. Schneider
Medical Department C
Klinikum Ludwigshafen
Bremserstrasse 79
67063 Ludwigshafen
Germany
Telefon: + 49-621-503-4114