Risk of acute myocardial infarction with nonselective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: a meta-analysis.
The use of cyclo-oxygenase 2 selective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is associated with increased risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The association between the risks of AMI with nonselective NSAIDs is less clear. We reviewed the published evidence and assessed the risk of AMI with nonselective NSAIDs. We performed a meta-analysis of all studies containing data from population databases that compared the risk of AMI in NSAID users with that in non-users or remote NSAID users. The primary outcome was objectively confirmed AMI. Fourteen studies met predefined criteria for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Nonselective NSAIDs as a class was associated with increased AMI risk (relative AMI risk 1.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.08 to 1.31). Similar findings were found with diclofenac (relative AMI risk 1.38, 95% CI 1.22-1.57) and ibuprofen (relative AMI risk 1.11, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.17). However, this effect was not observed with naproxen (relative AMI risk 0.99, 95% CI 0.88-1.11). In conclusion, based on current evidence, there is a general direction of effect, which suggests that at least some nonselective NSAIDs increase AMI risk. Analysis based on the limited data available for individual NSAIDs, including diclofenac and ibuprofen, supported this finding; however, this was not the case for naproxen. Nonselective NSAIDs are frequently prescribed, and so further investigation into the risk of AMI is warranted because the potential for harm can be substantial.
Singh
Gurkirpal
G
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 100 Hamilton Avenue, Suite 225 #42, Palo Alto, CA 94301, USA. gsingh@stanford.edu
Wu
Olivia
O
Langhorne
Peter
P
Madhok
Rajan
R
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal