NSAID-induced gastric ulcer

An NSAID-induced gastric ulcer is a focal mucosal defect extending through the muscularis mucosae of the stomach wall, resulting from acute or chronic exposure to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs It predominantly affects adults undergoing anti-inflammatory or analgesic therapy, with elevated vulnerability observed in older patients and individuals with a prior history of peptic ulcer disease Pathophysiologically, the condition is driven by systemic cyclooxygenase-1 inhibition that depletes c...

An NSAID-induced gastric ulcer is a focal mucosal defect extending through the muscularis mucosae of the stomach wall, resulting from acute or chronic exposure to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Clinically, these ulcers may present with epigastric dyspepsia, nausea, or fullness, though a significant proportion remain clinically silent until manifesting with severe complications such as acute gastrointestinal hemorrhage or perforation

It predominantly affects adults undergoing anti-inflammatory or analgesic therapy, with elevated vulnerability observed in older patients and individuals with a prior history of peptic ulcer disease

Pathophysiologically, the condition is driven by systemic cyclooxygenase-1 inhibition that depletes cytoprotective prostaglandins—thereby impairing mucus secretion, bicarbonate production, and mucosal blood flow—combined with direct topical cellular injury to the gastric epithelium