<h3>Background</h3> Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with a prevalence of 0.52% in Colombia, is an autoimmune disease with erosive joint involvement associated with significant manifestations in other organs and systems. RA has been associated with a greater risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB), highlighting the greater exposure to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) and corticosteroids [1]. <h3>Objectives</h3> Describe the safety profile with emphasis on UGIB associated with the use of NSAIDs and corticosteroids in patients with RA treated at the Central Military Hospital. <h3>Methods</h3> Analytical cross-sectional study of patients diagnosed with RA according to EULAR/ACR 2010 classification criteria between 2015-2021, describing the clinical and demographic variables and evaluating the association with UGIB. Patients with variceal UGIB were excluded. A bivariate and multivariate statistical analysis was performed by binary logistic regression. Approved by the institutional ethics committee. <h3>Results</h3> 405 individuals were evaluated, 80.5% were female, UGIB was present in 16 patients (4%). ESR was elevated in 60.9% and CRP in 67.9%. Rheumatoid factor (RF) >20U/mL was positive in 68.6% and anti-CCP in 62.30% of the total population; 100% of the UGIB group were RF+ (p=0.006) and anti-CCP+ (p=0.002). DAS28 presented a median of 3.46 (IQR=2.2-4.9), with higher levels in patients with UGIB -median of 5.1 (IQR=3.7-6.0) p=0.009-. In UGIB group, 6.25% used NSAIDs (p=0.97), while 62.5% used corticosteroids (p=0.44). NSAIDs doses and time of use did not present statistical differences between both groups (p=0.640 and p= 0.80). Neither does the type of NSAIDs (p=0.480). There were no significant differences regarding the type of corticosteroid (p=0.441) or the time of use (p=0.847); however, there were differences in doses used (p=0.036). As a result of logistic regression, the presence of anemia was identified with ORA 12.3 (95%CI 1.4-110.3), HAQ moderate or severe disability with ORA 7.6 (95%CI 1.4-39.9) and DAS28-CRP ORA 0.52 (95% CI 0.29-0.94) as factors associated with UGIB. <h3>Conclusion</h3> Our RA population shows an adequate control of disease activity. Lower use of NSAIDs is reported compared to other populations and the use of corticosteroids and DMARDs was used in a similar proportion to the literature. In patients with RA and UGIB, there were no statistically significant differences regarding NSAIDs and corticosteroid use. The presence of anemia, greater disability, and high levels of activity were associated. The study group presented a lower proportion of UGIB compared to the evidence published to date. <h3>Reference</h3> [1] Castellsague J, Riera-Guardia N, Calingaert B, Varas-Lorenzo C, Fourrier-Reglat A, Nicotra F, Sturkenboom M, Perez-Gutthann S; Safety of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (SOS) Project. Individual NSAIDs and upper gastrointestinal complications: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies (the SOS project). Drug Saf. 2012. <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> NIL. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> None Declared.
