A NEW study has found that low-dose aspirin (LDA), commonly used to prevent hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), does not increase the risk of disease flare in pregnant individuals with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The study followed 320 pregnancies in 232 patients with IBD and monitored outcomes related to aspirin use.
Roughly 28% of participants were prescribed LDA during pregnancy. Researchers assessed whether these patients experienced IBD flares, defined by factors such as hospitalisations, surgeries, or new treatments, during pregnancy or within six months postpartum. The results showed no statistically significant difference in flare rates between those who took aspirin and those who didn’t (20% vs. 26%, P = 0.36).
Patients on aspirin were slightly older, had higher rates of cesarean delivery (50% vs. 27%), and more commonly experienced preterm birth (21% vs. 14%). While they also had somewhat higher rates of preeclampsia (10% vs. 4.3%), these findings did not reach statistical significance.
These results provide reassuring evidence that LDA can be safely used during pregnancy in individuals with IBD without worsening disease activity. The authors highlight the importance of tailored care for this complex patient population, especially when balancing IBD management with pregnancy-related health risks.
Aleksandra Zurowska, EMJ
Reference
Memel Z et al. The Effect of Low-Dose Aspirin on Disease Activity in Pregnant Individuals With Inflammatory Bowel Disease. AJG. 2025;DOI: 10.14309/ajg.0000000000003304.
