[Meta-analysis of the scientific evidence on the usefulness of sporadic intake of acetylsalicylic acid in the prevention of coronary heart disease].
BACKGROUND
The present study was aimed at determining whether the sporadic intake of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) shows a protective effect on the appearance or attenuation of coronary disease events.


METHODS
The analysis was based on articles found in EMBASE, MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library. Scientific rigour was further assessed. We looked for original articles with clinical trial, cohorts, and case-control or cross-sectional study designs, where the effect could be assessed by the odds ratio (OR).


RESULTS
A meta-analysis showed a protective effect of sporadic ASA intake on the prevention of acute myocardial infarction (OR for fixed effects = 0.75, CI 95%, 0.63-0.88, p < 0.0006), which was more important in men than in women, and on the prevention of cardiovascular mortality (OR for fixed effects = 0.61, CI 95%, 0.59-0.64, p < 0.0001). However, overall mortality was found to be higher in those groups receiving the drug (OR for fixed effects = 1.20, CI 95%, 1.05-1.37, p = 0.0006). None of these effects was significant when performing a random effect analysis. ASA also attenuated acute coronary syndromes (OR for fixed effects = 0.34, CI 95%, 0.26-0.45, p < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the sporadic intake of ASA may have a protective particularly in men and attenuating effect on acute myocardial infarction, in addition to playing a role in preventing cardiovascular mortality but not overall mortality. Further studies to confirm these effects are warranted.
Pueyo
Gloria
G
Química Farmacéutica Bayer S.A. Barcelona. Spain.
Elosua
Roberto
R
Marrugat
Jaume
J
D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D001241:Aspirin