Colonic Ulcers in a Patient Taking Low-Dose Aspirin

gastrointestinal bleeding. The diagnosis is based on a history of low-dose aspirin use and the absence of other apparent causes of colonic ulceration. Colonic ulcers caused by low-dose aspirin usually run a benign course and have an excellent prognosis when managed conservatively; however, relapse may occur in patients rechallenged with low-dose aspirin (after previous withdrawal of the medication). In conclusion, colonic ulceration is a rare but clinically important condition in patients taking low-dose aspirin. Dear Sir, A 61-year-old man who was under treatment with low-dose aspirin for ischemic heart disease was admitted to our hospital because of bloody bowel discharge. His hemoglobin level was 10.6 g/ dl (normal range: 11.3–14.5 g/dl) on admission. A colonoscopic examination revealed ulcers in the ascending colon ( fig. 1 ). His symptom resolved with conservative therapy 2 weeks after admission. Colonic side effects of low-dose aspirin are rare, but have increasingly been reported since the advent of colonoscopy. Most of these patients present with diarrhea and macroor microscopic lower Published online: May 4, 2009