Endoscopic aspects of gastroduodenal mucosa due to NSAIDs

The role of endoscopy in NSAID-related gastroduodenal pathologies is reviewed. If an accepted and largely used algorithm in which the role of endoscopy is exactly identified is not available, current strategy for the management of gastroduodenal toxicity gives indication for endoscopy immediately after the onset of symptoms, anaemia and evidence of bleeding, overt or occult. The endoscopic patterns of lesions in patients taking NSAID are characteristic patterns of erosive and ulcerative lesions. Endoscopy can recognize early lesions, allowing us to prevent a more advanced mucosal damage.