title: Aspirin use among adults in the U.S.: results of a national survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The use of aspirin in patients without cardiovascular disease remains controversial. Patients' understanding of the risks and benefits of aspirin likely contribute to the decision of whether or not to use aspirin regularly. The purpose of this study is to assess patients' knowledge of aspirin and identify factors contributing to regular use.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey of U.S. adults aged 45-75 years was performed to ascertain aspirin use and factors that may be associated with use. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify predictors of current use of aspirin among those with a primary prevention indication. The survey was completed in 2012 with data analysis performed in 2013.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 2,509 respondents, 52% reported current aspirin use. Among 2,039 respondents without a history of cardiovascular disease, current use of aspirin was 47%. Regular use of aspirin for primary prevention was associated with the presence of major cardiovascular disease risk factors (OR=3.0, 95% CI=2.4, 3.7), high self-assessed knowledge of aspirin (OR=9.1, 95% CI=5.2, 15.7), and having discussed aspirin therapy with a provider (OR=25.9, 95% CI=19.7, 34.1). Several markers of healthy lifestyle choices were also associated with regular use. After multivariate analysis, the strongest independent predictor of regular aspirin use was having discussed aspirin therapy with a provider (OR=23.79, 95% CI=17.8, 31.5).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Approximately half of the nationwide survey of U.S. adults reported regular aspirin use. Among those with a primary prevention indication, having discussed aspirin with a provider was the strongest predictor of regular use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Oregon State University/Oregon Health & Science University College of Pharmacy, Portland, Oregon. Electronic address: williacr@ohsu.edu.
authors.forename: Craig D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: Andrew T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Oregon State University/Oregon Health & Science University College of Pharmacy, Portland, Oregon.
authors.forename: Miriam R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Elman
authors.affiliation: Partnership for Prevention, Washington, District of Columbia.
authors.forename: Alyson H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Kristensen
authors.affiliation: Division of Family Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.
authors.forename: W Fred
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Miser
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Pignone
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California.
authors.forename: Randall S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Stafford
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy Practice, Oregon State University/Oregon Health & Science University College of Pharmacy, Portland, Oregon.
authors.forename: Jessina C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: McGregor
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011322:Primary Prevention; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D001241:Aspirin