Aspirin, non-aspirin analgesics and the risk of hypertension in the SUN cohort.
OBJECTIVE
The use of aspirin and non-aspirin analgesics has been associated with changes in blood pressure. The aim of this study was to investigate prospectively the association between the regular use of aspirin and non-aspirin analgesics and the incidence of hypertension.


METHODS
The SUN project is an ongoing, continuously expanding, prospective cohort of Spanish university graduates initially free of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer; 9986 (mean age 36 years) were recruited during 1999-2005 and followed up for a mean of 51 months. Regular aspirin and non-aspirin analgesic use and the presence of other risk factors for hypertension were assessed by questionnaire at baseline, and the incidence of hypertension was assessed using biennial follow-up questionnaires.


RESULTS
In total, 543 new cases of hypertension were identified during follow-up. Regular aspirin use (i.e. 2 or more days/week) was associated with a higher risk of hypertension (hazard ratio=1.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-2.04) after adjustment for various confounding factors. Regular use of non-aspirin analgesic drugs was also associated with a higher risk of hypertension (hazard ratio=1.69; 95% confidence interval, 1.28-2.23).


CONCLUSIONS
The regular use of aspirin and non-aspirin analgesics were both associated with an increased risk of developing hypertension, independently of other risk factors.
Beunza
Juan José
JJ
Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Publica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Navarra, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain. jjbeunza@unav.es
Martínez-González
Miguel Angel
MA
Bes-Rastrollo
Maira
M
Núñez-Córdoba
Jorge María
JM
Toledo
Estefanía
E
Alonso
Alvaro
A
D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
D000700:Analgesics; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D001241:Aspirin