title: Expectations from patients with rheumatoid arthritis regarding COX-2s: cutting to the heart of the matter.
abstract: Before the withdrawal of 2 COX-2 selective agents (COX-2s) from the market, many rheumatoid arthritis patients were using these products regularly, with disease-modifying antirheumatic agents. Clinical trials have shown benefit of COX-2s equivalent to nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NS-NSAIDs) in rheumatoid arthritis. Better gastrointestinal (GI) safety has been demonstrated with COX-2s; numerical but not statistical benefit with concomitant use of cardiovascular (CV) doses of aspirin. COX-2 benefit may extend to lower GI blood loss against which proton pump inhibitors are not protective. COX-2s are associated with hypertension and edema of similar magnitude to NS-NSAIDs in predisposed individuals. Epidemiologic studies and clinical trials have confirmed the association of serious thromboembolic (CV) events and congestive heart failure with rofecoxib>25 mg daily, celecoxib, and NS-NSAIDs, although there is a paucity of long-term data. Important questions remain regarding relative GI and CV risks: is concomitant aspirin protective when coadministered with COX-2s? Does this abrogate their GI benefit? As identified many years ago with NS-NSAIDs, patients may respond to one and not another; COX-2s should be considered individually and not as a single "class." Patients deserve the opportunity to make a choice about the perceived benefit/risk assessment when using these therapies, with the collaboration of their physician.
authors.affiliation: vstrand@aol.com
authors.forename: Vibeke
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Strand
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology*; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2