The relative efficacies of gastroprotective strategies in chronic users of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
OBJECTIVE
There are numerous gastroprotective strategies recommended for reducing the risk of upper gastrointestinal (GI) complications in long-term users of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The relative efficacy of the different strategies alone or in combination is uncertain.


METHODS
We used the Manitoba Population Health Research Data Repository to perform a population-based matched case-control analysis. All NSAID users (nonselective and cyclooxygenase [COX]-2-specific) users admitted to the hospital with a primary diagnosis for an upper gastrointestinal complication were matched to NSAID-using controls in the community. We used conditional logistic regression analysis to determine the relative efficacy of different gastroprotective strategies (proton pump inhibitors [PPIs], COX-2 inhibitors, and low-dose/high-dose misoprostol) either alone or in combination and to adjust for multiple pertinent covariates.


RESULTS
A total of 1382 NSAID/COX-2 users with upper GI complications were matched to 33,957 age- and sex-matched controls. Cotherapy with PPIs or misoprostol or use of a COX-2 inhibitor all significantly reduced the risk of upper GI complications. COX-2 inhibitors were not statistically more likely to prevent upper GI complications than PPIs, although they were superior to low-dose misoprostol. The combination of COX-2 inhibitors with a PPI was associated with the greatest degree of upper GI complication risk reduction.


CONCLUSIONS
All of the commonly accepted gastroprotective strategies reduce the risk of upper GI complications in NSAID users, although the combination of COX-2 inhibitors with PPIs promotes the greatest risk reduction for NSAID-related upper GI complications. Celecoxib use specifically may be superior to the combination of nonselective NSAIDs with a PPI.
Targownik
Laura E
LE
Section of Gastroenterology, Division of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. targowni@cc.umanitoba.ca
Metge
Colleen J
CJ
Leung
Stella
S
Chateau
Daniel G
DG
D017677:Age Distribution; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D000068579:Celecoxib; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008350:Manitoba / Q000453:epidemiology; D016595:Misoprostol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011379:Prognosis; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011720:Pyrazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D052246:Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D011720:Pyrazoles; D013449:Sulfonamides; D016595:Misoprostol; D000068579:Celecoxib