title: Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug withdrawal in patients with stable rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) withdrawal on blood pressure (BP), 44-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS44), and functional assessments in patients with stable rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
  
  
  METHODS
  NSAID was withdrawn from 30 patients with stable RA (DAS44 ≤ 2.8). Other prescribed medication continued. Clinical and laboratory measures were taken at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No participants required NSAID reintroduction during the study period. Significant improvement in systolic BP was noted: maximal median reduction was 7 mm Hg (baseline to 12 weeks). There was no significant deterioration in DAS44 or function. Eleven participants required additional intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NSAID withdrawal resulted in improvement in BP without loss of disease control.
authors: Department of Rheumatology, Pinderfields General Hospital, Aberford Road, Wakefield, West Yorkshire WF1 4DG, UK. gayle.mckellar@midyorks.nhs.uk
authors: Gayle E
authors: GE
authors: McKellar
authors: Rosemary
authors: R
authors: Hampson
authors: Ann
authors: A
authors: Tierney
authors: Hilary A
authors: HA
authors: Capell
authors: Rajan
authors: R
authors: Madhok
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D028761:Withholding Treatment
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal