The drug-induced injury of the upper gastrointestinal tract: prophylaxis and treatment

Abstract

It is well established that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the causal factor of mucosa damage not only of in the stomach and duodenum, but also in esophagus, triggering the development of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It is known that NSAIDs’ intake (including low doses of aspirin) can significantly increase the likelihood of developing of the peptic esophagitis with the risk of ulceration, bleeding, or stricture formation. Recent years, there is an increasing number of papers, devoted to the investigation of esophageal lesions and mechanisms of GERD development, occurring during the NSAIDs’ administration (including low doses of acetylsalicylic acid) and other drugs. The structure of drug-induced lesions of the upper gastrointestinal tract in patients taking NSAIDs has been analyzed. The investigation has been performed to study the frequency and characteristics of esophageal lesions in patients with osteoarthrosis of large joints, receiving NSAID treatment, as well as to determine factors that increase risk of developing this pathology. With account of the considered risk factors, the most rational approach to the diagnosis and primary prevention of NSAID-induced esophagitis has been chosen, which in most cases should reduce the incidence of side effects of NSAID-associated lesions of the esophagus. The main directions in the treatment of NSAID-associated injuries of the esophagus, namely, lifestyle change, balanced diet, changing the dose and regimen of NSAIDs or switching to selective NSAIDs, modern pharmacotherapy and surgical treatment have been elucidated. Clinical examples of patients with esophagus and stomach injuries associated with the long-term administration of NSAIDs and antiplatelet drugs were used to discuss the prevention and treatment of this category of patients, using proton pump inhibitors and bismuth-containing drugs.