Gastrointestinal side effects associated with NSAID and aspirin use range in severity from minor, superficial mucosal injury to ul-ceration, perforation, gastric outlet obstruction, and hemorrhage. These effects represent a substantial source of drug-induced morbidity and mortality among Americans. Hospitalizations resulting from gastrointestinal disorders are at least six times more frequent in patients with arthritis who [...]

The physiological reaction to injury, noxious agents, and autoimmune-triggered substances consists of an innate, non-immunologic response and an acquired, specific immune re-sponse. During this highly complex repertoire of responses, referred to as the inflammatory reaction (Figure 1), numerous mediators of inflammation (e.g., eicosanoids, histamine, platelet-activating factor [PAF], bradykinin, and cytokines) are synthesized or released. Of [...]

Introduction
Between 10% and 15% of older Americans use a prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) at least once daily. In addition, it is estimated that the use of over-the-counter nonprescription NSAIDs, which include aspirin, may be five to seven times greater than for prescribed NSAIDs. Numerous studies have confirmed that NSAIDs are clinically effective analgesic agents [...]