Trends in gastrointestinal bleeding in the Region of Valencia (2000-2005). Relationship to sales of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and acid suppression medication.

Objective: To describe 2000-2005 time trends of prescription for NSAIDs, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and hospital admissions for gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Methods: Time series analysis of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding admission and drugs’ Defined Daily Dose per 1000 people per day (DDD/1000/day) in the Region of Valencia, Spain, from January 2000 to December 2005. Results: Dispensation of NSAIDs went from 42.7 DDD/1000 people/day in 2000 to 58.3 DDD/1000 people/day in 2005. During the same period, dispensation of PPIs went from 26.3 DDD/1000 people/day to 68.5 DDD/1000 people/day (both are statistically significant). The rate of hospitalisations for gastrointestinal bleeding during…