Rationale and Design of LAPIS: A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study to Investigate the Efficacy and Safety of Low-Dose Aspirin in Elderly Chinese Patients

PURPOSE: Although aspirin can effectively reduce the occurrence of atherothrombosis, it is significantly associated with increased bleeding, with elderly individuals being at increased risk of cardiovascular diseases(CVDs) and hemorrhage. While the adverse effects of aspirin can be reduced by using the lowest effective dose, its optimal dose remains undetermined in the elderly Chinese population with both higher cardiovascular and bleeding risks. This study aims to assess the current status of aspirin therapy in real-world clinical settings as well as investigate the efficacy and safety of different doses of aspirin intake (≤ 50 mg/d and > 50 mg/d) for CVD prevention and management in elderly Chinese individuals. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The Low-dose Aspirin for Primary and Secondary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in the Elderly Study (LAPIS) is a multicenter, prospective, observational cohort study. At least 10,000 people aged ≥ 60 years who require long-term aspirin therapy will be recruited. The effectiveness outcome is a composite of major cardiovascular events(MACEs), including nonfatal myocardial infarction, unstable angina, arteriosclerotic disease requiring surgery or intervention, nonfatal stroke, transient ischemic attack, or cardiovascular death (excluding intracranial hemorrhage). The safety outcome is a composite of the first occurrence of fatal bleeding, major bleeding and minor bleeding. Information on the incidence of aspirin-associated gastrointestinal adverse events will also be collected for safety analyses. Outcome measurements will be performed at intervals of 30 days, 3 months, 6 months and then every 6 months for the next 3 years. CONCLUSION: The results of the LAPIS study will ascertain the efficacy and safety of different doses of aspirin for the prevention and management of CVD, thereby providing evidence to determine the optimal evidence-based dose of aspirin therapy in Chinese elderly individuals. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR1900021980 (chictr.org.cn). Registered on March 19, 2019.