Far from compromising iFOBTs, low-dose aspirin roughly doubles the sensitivity of the tests and only slightly lowers their specificity, finds a German study.
“Our results may even raise the provocative suggestion of whether temporary use of low-dose aspirin might be considered to enhance performance of iFOBTs,” the study authors wrote in JAMA.
The study involved 2000 patients in a screening colonoscopy program who also underwent an iFOBT.
About one in eight of the participants were regularly taking low-dose aspirin.
Among users, advanced colorectal neoplasms were detected with a sensitivity of 70.8% compared to 35.9% for non-users.
Specificity was reduced in the group using aspirin by 3.5 percentage points to 85.7%.
They said recommending the temporary use of low-dose aspirin for...
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