Bleeding Risks With Aspirin Use for Primary Prevention in Adults: A Systematic Review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task ForceBleeding Risks With Aspirin Use | Annals of Internal Medicine

abstract:
Bleeding Risks With Aspirin Use for Primary Prevention in Adults: A Systematic Review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
 Reviews | 12 April 2016
Background: The balance between potential aspirin-related risks and benefits is critical in primary prevention.
Purpose: To evaluate the risk for serious bleeding with regular aspirin use in cardiovascular disease (CVD) primary prevention.
Data Sources: PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (2010 through 6 January 2015), and relevant references from other reviews.
Study Selection: Randomized, controlled trials; cohort studies; and meta-analyses comparing aspirin with placebo or no treatment to prevent CVD or cancer in adults.

Limitations: Power to detect effects on hemorrhagic stroke was limited. Harms other than serious bleeding were not examined.
Conclusion: Consideration of the safety of primary prevention with aspirin requires an individualized assessment of aspirin's effects on bleeding risks and expected benefits because absolute bleeding risk may vary considerably by patient.