Elsevier

Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health

Volume 12, October–December 2021, 100883
Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health

The effects of aspirin on the outcome of COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cegh.2021.100883Get rights and content
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Abstract

Background

Repurposing the use of aspirin to treat hospitalized patients with COVID-19 is a sensible approach. However, several previous studies showed conflicting results. This meta-analysis was aimed to assess the effect of aspirin on the outcome in patients with COVID-19.

Methods

Systematic search using relevant keywords was carried out via several electronic databases until February 21, 2021. Research studies on adults COVID-19 patients with documentation on the use of aspirin and reported our outcomes of interest were included in the analysis. Our main outcome of interest was all types of mortality, while the incidence of thrombosis and bleeding were considered as secondary outcomes. Estimated risk estimates of the included studies were then pooled using DerSimonian-Laird random-effect models regardless heterogeneity.

Results

Seven studies with a total of 34,415 patients were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The use of aspirin was associated with a reduced risk of mortality (RR 0.56, 95% CI 0.38–0.81, P = 0.002; I2: 68%, P = 0.005). Sensitivity analysis by differentiating in-hospital (active aspirin prescription) and pre-hospital use of aspirin could significantly reduce the heterogeneity (I2: 1%, P = 0.4). Only one study reported the incidence of major bleeding between aspirin and non-aspirin users (6.1% vs. 7.6%, P = 0.61). The association between the use of aspirin and the incidence of thrombosis were contradictory in two studies.

Conclusion

The use of aspirin was significantly associated with a reduced risk of mortality among patients with COVID-19. Due to limited studies, the effect of aspirin on the incidence of thrombosis and bleeding in patients with COVID-19 could not be drawn definitively.

Keywords

Aspirin
Acetylsalicylic acid
SARS-CoV-2
COVID-19
Mortality

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