Thrombocytosis is associated with increased short and long term mortality after exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a role for antiplatelet therapy? -

Thrombocytosis is associated with increased short and long term mortality after exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a role for antiplatelet therapy?
Information type: Other primary research
Source: Thorax
Specialities: Cardiovascular system disorders | Respiratory disorders
Summary
Thrombocytosis was associated with 1-year mortality (OR 1.53 (95% CI 1.03 to 2.29, p=0.030) but treatment with an antiplatelet drug (aspirin or clopidogrel) reduced this mortality rate (OR 0.63 (95% CI 0.47 to 0.85, p=0.003) in 1343 patients with acute exacerbations of COPD.
UKMi comment
A related editorial discusses the biological plausibility of these findings, adding that “unless there is a medical contraindication, low-dose aspirin (ie, 80–100 mg/day) appears to be a reasonable therapeutic choice for most patients with COPD in view of their increased risk of cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer.”
Related links: Editorial