The Risk of Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage in Low-Dose Aspirin Users with Diabetes Mellitus: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to assess the risk of gastrointestinal (GI) hemorrhage associated with diabetes among patients taking low-dose aspirin (≤325 mg/day). METHODS: A systematic search was conducted for publication in English and Chinese using term equivalents for “GI hemorrhage”, “aspirin”, and “diabetes mellitus” up till April 2020. Electronic databases include PUBMED, EMBASE, Cochrane Library databases, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, and VIP Database. Two independent authors searched databases and reviewed abstracts for comprehensive studies keeping adequate study quality. Data of weighted odds ratios were statistically evaluated and potential bias was checked. RESULTS: Among 446 publications, eight case-control researches, including 1601 patients, were deemed for this meta-analysis. Patients with diabetes were associated with a higher risk of GI hemorrhage than patients without diabetes: the summary ORs were 3.10 (95% CI, 2.35–4.09). The heterogeneity of the reports was not significant (Chi(2) = 3.39, P = 0.85; I(2) = 0%). CONCLUSION: The meta-analysis showed that aspirin users with diabetes were more likely to have GI hemorrhage. Hence, when treating diabetics with aspirin, the increased risk of GI bleeding should be taken in consideration.