The USPSTF recently announced a new recommendation against older adults, aged over 60, starting low-aspirin to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD; i.e. diseases of the heart and blood vessels).<\/p>\n
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<\/a>Above: Principal Investigator to the ASPREE Trial in Australia, Prof John McNeil<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n ASPREE Principal Investigator in Australia, Prof John McNeil, said USPSTF recommendations were based on a review of global scientific evidence into the benefits and risks of aspirin use. ASPREE, a world-first aspirin trial in 19,114 healthy older adults in Australia and the US, released its findings<\/span><\/a> to international acclaim in 2018<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Shortly after, the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association incorporated ASPREE findings into revised primary prevention aspirin guidelines<\/a><\/span>, recommending against aspirin for primary prevention* in adults aged 70 and over.<\/p>\n Guidelines are used by doctors and patients to manage health care.<\/p>\n A statement<\/span><\/a> on the USPSTF website explained the taskforce\u2019s new recommendation: \u201cThe magnitude of the harms (of aspirin) is small overall but increases in older age groups, particularly in adults older than 60 years\u2026. The USPSTF concludes with moderate certainty that initiating aspirin use for the primary prevention of CVD events in adults 60 years or older has no net benefit.\u201d<\/p>\n Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in Australia and the US.<\/p>\n The USPSTF did not recommend aspirin to prevent colorectal cancer, citing the need for more evidence.<\/p>\n Prof McNeil said the current lack of evidence for cancer highlights the importance of ASPREE-XT, ASPREE\u2019s follow up study, examining the effect of aspirin on colorectal cancer in older adults over the longer term.<\/p>\n Prof McNeil added the new USPSTF aspirin recommendations only apply to people who do not have a medical reason to take aspirin. <\/p>\n *Primary prevention is a therapy or treatment to prevent a disease or health event from occurring.<\/em><\/p>\n ———————————————————————————————————————————————————–<\/p>\n Further reading:<\/strong><\/p>\n Lay summary:<\/p>\n Jin J. Use of Aspirin to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease.\u00a0JAMA.<\/em>\u00a02022;327(16):1624. doi:10.1001\/jama.2022.5564<\/a><\/p>\n Papers:<\/p>\n US Preventive Services Task Force. Aspirin Use to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease:\u00a0US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement.\u00a0JAMA.\u00a02022;327(16):1577\u20131584. doi:10.1001\/jama.2022.4983<\/a><\/p>\n Guirguis-Blake JM, Evans CV, Perdue LA, Bean SI, Senger CA. Aspirin Use to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease and Colorectal Cancer: Updated Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA. 2022;327(16):1585\u20131597. doi:10.1001\/jama.2022.3337<\/a><\/p>\n Dehmer SP, O\u2019Keefe LR, Evans CV, Guirguis-Blake JM, Perdue LA, Maciosek MV. Aspirin Use to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease and Colorectal Cancer:\u00a0<\/span>Updated Modeling Study for the US Preventive Services Task Force<\/span>.\u00a0JAMA.<\/em>\u00a02022;327(16):1598\u20131607. doi:10.1001\/jama.2022.3385<\/a><\/p>\n Editorial:<\/p>\n Mora S, Shufelt CL, Manson JE. Whom to Treat for Primary Prevention of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease:\u00a0The Aspirin Dilemma.\u00a0JAMA Intern Med.\u00a0Published online April 26, 2022. doi:10.1001\/jamainternmed.2022.1365<\/a><\/p>\n Brett AS. Should Patients Take Aspirin for Primary Cardiovascular Prevention? Updated Recommendations From the US Preventive Services Task Force. JAMA. 2022;327(16):1552\u20131554. doi:10.1001\/jama.2022.2460<\/a><\/p>\n Lloyd-Jones DM. USPSTF Report on Aspirin for Primary Prevention.\u00a0JAMA Cardiol.<\/em>\u00a0Published online April 26, 2022. doi:10.1001\/jamacardio.2022.0935<\/a><\/p>\n Berger JS. Aspirin for Primary Prevention\u2014Time to Rethink Our Approach.\u00a0JAMA Netw Open.<\/em>\u00a02022;5(4):e2210144. doi:10.1001\/jamanetworkopen.2022.10144<\/a><\/p>\n
\n\u201cThe new USPSTF aspirin guidelines for healthy older adults are now closely aligned to the findings of ASPREE, \u201c said Prof McNeil.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThe use of low-dose aspirin for secondary prevention, such as after<\/em> a heart attack, should continue,\u201d said Prof McNeil. \u201cSpeak to your GP for individual advice before starting or stopping daily low-dose aspirin.\u201d<\/p>\n