The effects of ibuprofen, indomethacin, aspirin, naproxen, and placebo on the gastric mucosa of normal volunteers

Abstract

The effects of various nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs on the gastric mucosa were endoscopically evaluated in 40 normal volunteers. Eight groups, each containing five subjects were designed: aspirin (3600 mg/d); placebo; ibuprofen (1600 mg/d); ibuprofen (2400 mg/d); indomethacin (100 mg/d); indomethacin (150 mg/d); naproxen (500 mg/d); and naproxen (750 mg/d). All volunteers took medication for seven days and gastroscopy was carried out on day one and day eight. All findings were documented by photography. Severe gastric mucosal injury occurred with aspirin (P<0.05), both doses of indomethacin, and the higher dose of naproxen. Lesser changes were seen with the lower dose of naproxen, both doses of ibuprofen and placebo. The higher doses of ibuprofen, indomethacin, and naproxen caused a greater degree of gastric mucosal injury, but statistical significance was achieved only with naproxen (P<0.01). Subjective gastrointestinal complaints generally correlated with endoscopic pathology; however, nine volunteers had evidence of severe injury to the gastric mucosa with no symptomatology. This was confined to the patients on indomethacin, naproxen, and ibuprofen. Aspirin patients all had some degree of symptomatology but to a lesser degree than expected in view of the endoscopic findings.