ASPREE

A Placebo Controlled Trial of Low Dose Aspirin in the Elderly

Executive Officer: Dr Robyn L Woods

Phone 03 9903 0050 or email to robyn.woods@med.monash.edu.au

Download the ASPREE Protocol (PDF - 290kb) (version 2.0 06-03-2008)

ASPREE is a large-scale double-blind controlled trial to determine the effect of low-dose aspirin versus placebo over a 5 year treatment period, for the prevention of cardiovascular events (fatal and non fatal) in subjects aged > 70 years without known cardiovascular disease. Additional aims are to investigate aspirin effects on all cause mortality, dementia, hemorrhagic stroke, preservation of cognitive function, gastrointestinal bleeds, and other clinical significant bleeding, carcinoma, thromboembolism, institutionalization, disability, cost-effectiveness, depression and quality of life.

Low dose aspirin therapy has been shown to reduce the risk of vascular events in a wide range of primary and secondary settings and there is increasing evidence of its potential to reduce the rate of intellectual decline in older subjects. However, part of the benefit of aspirin may be offset by a variety of adverse effects. The balance of risks and benefits has not been established in older subjects. ASPREE is planned to utilise the expertise and infrastructure developed for the Second Australian National Blood Pressure Study. A feasibility study commenced in March 2003.