Having all patients over age 50 take low-dose (81 mg) aspirin daily would result in
A. a decrease in cardiovascular mortality in men and women
B. a decrease in hemorrhagic stroke in women
C. a decrease in myocardial infarction in men
D. a decrease in strokes in men
E. no increase in major bleeding episodes
A....
Family practice boards? small, cute ques--i haven't read yet.
There is no indication for widespread use ASA 81
in pt w/o risk factor
but if ans. is E, i would say it's a riddle!!
The third paper outlines new recommendations from the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) on the use of aspirin for the primary prevention of coronary heart disease [3]. These encourage men aged between 45 and 79 years and women aged between 55 and 79 years to use aspirin when the potential benefit of a reduction in myocardial infarction (MI) for men or stroke for women outweighs the potential harm of an increase in gastrointestinal hemorrhage. They say there are insufficient data to assess the balance of benefits and harms of aspirin for cardiovascular disease prevention in men and women 80 years or older and that aspirin use should not be encouraged for cardiovascular disease prevention in women younger than 55 years and in men younger than 45 years.
ans is C tough one
yes, c is correct
Explanation: A meta-analysis of six well controlled clinical trials of aspirin prophylaxis showed a 32% decrease in myocardial infarctions in men taking aspirin. There was no decrease in cardiovascular mortality or all-cause mortality in either sex, and there was a trend toward increased risk of stroke, primarily hemorrhagic stroke. There was a 24% decrease in ischemic stroke in women, however. The risk of major bleeding disorders was around 76% higher in aspirin users. The analysis suggests that aspirin may do more harm than good in healthy persons without cardiovascular risk factors. Reference: Aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (revisited). Med Lett Drugs Ther 2006;48:53.