SMALL-BOWEL ULCERATION IN PATIENTS RECEIVING NONSTEROIDAL ANTIINFLAMMATORY DRUGS FOR RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

  • 1 January 1986
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 58  (225) , 53-58
Abstract
Evidence is presented for a non-specific ulcerative process in the small bowel of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. All three cases presented with lower gastrointestinal bleeding; on withdrawal of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs no further bleeding occurred. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may lead to small bowel ulceration in inhibiting mucosal glycoprotein synthesis and increasing intestinal permeability.