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20/05/2005
Benefits of aspirin for over-70s questioned
Questions have been raised over the benefits of giving low dose aspirin to healthy people aged 70 and over.
A study published by the British Medical Journal (BMJ) suggested that the benefits of giving aspirin to the over-70s could be offset by increased cases of serious bleeding.
In the study, Australian researchers used a model to simulate the broad implications of routine use of aspirin in a population of 20,000 men and women aged 70-74 with no cardiovascular disease.
The researchers said that the model suggested that any benefits gained from the use of low dose aspirin, such as the prevention of heart attacks, could be offset by an increase in the risk of developing serious bleeding - the overall balance of harm and benefit “could tip either way”.
The authors of the study said: “Therefore, the temptation to blindly implement low dose aspirin for prevention of heart disease in elderly people must be resisted.”
The study concluded that a clinical trial was needed to establish the true benefit or harm of aspirin in elderly people and underscore the importance of targeting preventive treatment to those who are likely to benefit most.
(KMcA/SP)
A study published by the British Medical Journal (BMJ) suggested that the benefits of giving aspirin to the over-70s could be offset by increased cases of serious bleeding.
In the study, Australian researchers used a model to simulate the broad implications of routine use of aspirin in a population of 20,000 men and women aged 70-74 with no cardiovascular disease.
The researchers said that the model suggested that any benefits gained from the use of low dose aspirin, such as the prevention of heart attacks, could be offset by an increase in the risk of developing serious bleeding - the overall balance of harm and benefit “could tip either way”.
The authors of the study said: “Therefore, the temptation to blindly implement low dose aspirin for prevention of heart disease in elderly people must be resisted.”
The study concluded that a clinical trial was needed to establish the true benefit or harm of aspirin in elderly people and underscore the importance of targeting preventive treatment to those who are likely to benefit most.
(KMcA/SP)
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Calm urged over report linking painkillers to miscarriages
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