Which adverse outcome is a known risk of aspirin use due to COX-1 inhibition?

Which adverse outcome is a known risk of aspirin use due to COX-1 inhibition?

• A. Hyperglycemia
• B. Hypertension
• C. Renal failure
• D. Gastrointestinal bleeding

Answer: (D)

COX-1 inhibition cuts back on protective prostaglandins in the stomach, weakening the gastric mucosa and making it easier for irritation, ulcers, and bleeding to occur. At the same time, aspirin irreversibly inhibits COX-1 in platelets, reducing thromboxane A2 and impairing clotting, which further increases bleeding risk. Together, these effects make gastrointestinal bleeding the classic adverse outcome associated with COX-1 inhibition. Hyperglycemia and hypertension aren’t typical direct effects of COX-1 inhibition, and while NSAIDs can affect kidney function, GI bleeding is the most characteristic risk here.

COX-1 inhibition cuts back on protective prostaglandins in the stomach, weakening the gastric mucosa and making it easier for irritation, ulcers, and bleeding to occur. At the same time, aspirin irreversibly inhibits COX-1 in platelets, reducing thromboxane A2 and impairing clotting, which further increases bleeding risk. Together, these effects make gastrointestinal bleeding the classic adverse outcome associated with COX-1 inhibition. Hyperglycemia and hypertension aren’t typical direct effects of COX-1 inhibition, and while NSAIDs can affect kidney function, GI bleeding is the most characteristic risk here.