Rise in Aspirin Use Seen Among US Adults

Aspirin use among US adults rose about 20% from 1999 to 2003, and the Healthy People 2010 objective of having at least 30% of diabetics use this drug on a regular basis has been met.

The findings, indicate that 36.2% of adults at least 35 years of age used aspirin daily or every other day in 2003. The proportion among those with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes was even higher – 82.8% and 62.6%, respectively.

Umed A. Ajani, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, and colleagues estimated the prevalence of aspirin use in 2003 by analyzing data for 67,697 subjects entered in the Behavioral Factor Surveillance System.

A key focus of the study was to investigate aspirin use among diabetics. The American Diabetes Association recommends aspirin as a primary preventive for diabetics at increased risk for CVD and as secondary preventive for those with a history of CVD. The Healthy People 2010 objective called for a rise in aspirin use among diabetics from 20% in the early 1990s to 30%.

As noted, overall aspirin use rose by 20% from 1999 to 2003. Aspirin intake among diabetics and those with CVD increased by 35% and 12%, respectively. Moreover, a rise in aspirin use was noted in all adults regardless of age, gender, educational level, general health status, smoking status, and BMI, the investigators point out.

In subjects without diabetics or CVD, the prevalence of aspirin intake was directly related to the number of CVD risk factors. Seventy-four percent of subjects cited cardiovascular reasons for their aspirin intake.

"The implication is that doctors and the media and paid advertising by (aspirin manufacturers) have had a positive impact," Dr. Richard Stein, a cardiologist and a spokesperson for the American Heart Association, said in a statement. "The approximately one-third reduction in heart attacks and fatal heart attacks in patients taking aspirin will help reduce the death and disability from coronary heart disease in the US."

Am J Prev Med 2005

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