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Keywords

Aspirin, Primary Prevention, Myocardial Infarction, Stroke

Disciplines

Architecture | Business | Life Sciences | Medicine and Health Sciences

Abstract

In spite of the controversies regarding low-dose aspirin safety and efficacy, aspirin is widely used by individuals for the primary prevention of myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke. This study assess the appropriateness of low dose aspirin use in a sample of Lebanese population. A cross sectional study was conducted using a community based questionnaire to assess each patient’s risk factors for Myocardial Infarction and ischemic stroke and possible contraindications for aspirin use. WHO risk score was used to calculate the cardiovascular risk of patients and determine the appropriateness of aspirin use for the primary prevention of cardiovascular diseases accordingly. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS®) version 20. Chi-square test was used to compare between nominal data. P-value was considered significant at values less or equal to 0.05.Results showed that 34% of 505 patients were on aspirin therapy for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. Eighty two percent of the sample had low cardiovascular disease risk, while only 4% had very high risk and were eligible for aspirin use for primary prevention according to the WHO guideline. Of the total sample 30.5% were over utilizing aspirin and 3% only were using it appropriately. Moreover, all self and pharmacists’ prescriptions as well as 88% of the physician’s prescriptions were inappropriate. As a conclusion, aspirin is being over-utilized by the Lebanese population for primary prevention of Myocardial Infarction and ischemic stroke. Physicians and pharmacists should collaborate in order to insure proper prescription of aspirin.

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