Low Dose Of Aspirin May Reduce Death Risk In COVID-19 Patients: Study

New York: Hospitalised COVID-19 patients, who take a low dose of aspirin daily, are at a lesser risk of succumbing to the disease than the ones who didn’t take aspirin at all, claim researchers.

According to a study published in the journal Anesthesia and Analgesia, the findings could help in preventing severe complications arising due to COVID-19.

Study leader Jonathan Chow from the University of Maryland, US said, “This is a critical finding that needs to be confirmed through a randomized clinical trial. If our finding is confirmed, it would make aspirin the first widely available, over-the-counter medication to reduce mortality in COVID-19 patients.”

For the study, researchers went through the medical records of 412 COVID-19 patients in the age group of 55 and above, IANS reported.

Out of 412 patients, nearly a quarter of them were taking a low dose of aspirin on a daily basis before being hospitalised or right after getting admitted at a healthcare centre.

The researchers found that the patients, who used aspirin, were at a lesser risk of being put on a ventilator or rushed to the ICU.

However, daily use of aspirin can increase the risk of peptic ulcer or major bleeding.

Study co-author Michael A Mazzeffi said, “We believe that the blood thinning effects of aspirin provides benefits for COVID-19 patients by preventing microclot formation. Those at increased bleeding risk due to chronic kidney disease, for example, or because they regularly use certain medications, like steroids or blood thinners, may not be able to safely take aspirin.”