title: Comparative effect of clopidogrel plus aspirin and aspirin monotherapy on hematological parameters using propensity score matching.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Clopidogrel and aspirin are antiplatelet agents that are recommended to reduce the risk of recurrent stroke and other cardiovascular events. Dual antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel and aspirin has been shown to increase the risk of hemorrhage, but the effects of the drugs on laboratory parameters have not been well studied in real-world clinical settings. Therefore, we evaluated and compared the effects of combination therapy with clopidogrel plus aspirin and aspirin monotherapy on laboratory parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used data from the Nihon University School of Medicine Clinical Data Warehouse obtained between November 2004 and May 2011 to identify cohorts of new users (n = 130) of clopidogrel (75 mg/day) plus aspirin (100 mg/day) and a propensity score matched sample of new users (n = 130) of aspirin alone (100 mg/day). We used a multivariate regression model to compare serum levels of creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase, as well as hematological parameters including hemoglobin level, hematocrit, and white blood cell, red blood cell, and platelet counts up to 2 months after the start of administration of the study drugs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences for any characteristics and baseline laboratory parameters between users of clopidogrel plus aspirin and users of aspirin alone. Reductions in white blood cell and red blood cell counts, hemoglobin levels, and hematocrit in users of clopidogrel plus aspirin were significantly greater than those in users of aspirin alone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings suggest that adverse hematological effects may be greater with combination clopidogrel plus aspirin therapy than with aspirin monotherapy.
authors: Department of Pharmacy, Nihon University Itabashi Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
authors: Masatoshi
authors: M
authors: Hayasaka
authors: Yasuo
authors: Y
authors: Takahashi
authors: Yayoi
authors: Y
authors: Nishida
authors: Yoshikazu
authors: Y
authors: Yoshida
authors: Shinji
authors: S
authors: Hidaka
authors: Satoshi
authors: S
authors: Asai
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000077144:Clopidogrel; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D005260:Female; D006400:Hematocrit; D006454:Hemoglobins; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010976:Platelet Count; D057216:Propensity Score; D012307:Risk Factors; D013988:Ticlopidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D000077144:Clopidogrel; D013988:Ticlopidine; D001241:Aspirin
keywords: antiplatelet therapy; aspirin; clopidogrel; laboratory parameter; propensity score matching