How Often Does the Fecal Test for Occult Blood Turn Positive After Using Blood Thinners?

Oral anticoagulant and antiplatelet agents (AC/AP agents) are the cornerstone of treatment in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD), including those with coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation and deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism. However, these agents are associated with risk of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. The bleeding can unmask certain GI pathologies early such as peptic ulcer disease, polyps and cancer. The fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is the most commonly used test utilized in clinical practice to detect occult fecal blood. There is scarcity of studies in the Middle East that evaluate the frequency of positive FIT in patients with CVD prescribed AC/AP agents with an initially negative FIT and who do not have history of bleeding or GI disease.

The concept of the study relies on performing FIT before AC/AP initiation, and if negative, the test will be repeated after 3 months. If the repeat test turns positive , these patients will be referred for further GI evaluation.

Inclusion criteria

• Adults aged 18 years or older.
• Have an indication to use oral antiplatelet or anticoagulant agent(s).
• Absence of past bleeding tendency of gastrointestinal disease.
• Agrees to have the test done (FIT).
• Agrees to sign the informed consent.

Exclusion criteria

• Presence of past bleeding tendency of gastrointestinal disease.
• Refusal to have the test done (FIT).
• Refusal to sign the informed consent.