RTI uses cookies to offer you the best experience online. By clicking “accept” on this website, you opt in and you agree to the use of cookies. If you would like to know more about how RTI uses cookies and how to manage them please view our Privacy Policy here. You can “opt out” or change your mind by visiting: http://optout.aboutads.info/. Click “accept” to agree.
Channeling and prevalence of cardiovascular contraindications in users of cyclooxygenase 2 selective nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs
Mosis, G., Stijnen, T., Castellsague, J., Dieleman, JP., van der Lei, J., Stricker, BHC., & Sturkenboom, MCJM. (2006). Channeling and prevalence of cardiovascular contraindications in users of cyclooxygenase 2 selective nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. Arthritis care and research : the official journal of the Arthritis Health Professions Association, 55(4), 537-542. https://doi.org/10.1002/art.22096
OBJECTIVE: To assess use and channeling of cyclooxygenase 2 selective inhibitors (coxibs) over time and to estimate the percentage of coxib users with cardiovascular contraindications. METHODS: The study population comprised all coxib and nonselective nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) users in the Integrated Primary Care Information project between January 2000 and December 2004. The prevalence of risk factors for NSAID-related upper gastrointestinal ulcer complications, cardiovascular disease, and cerebrovascular disease at the start of treatment was compared between users of coxibs and users of nonselective NSAIDs. RESULTS: The study population included 72,841 nonselective NSAID users and 10,739 coxib users. The prevalence of risk factors for NSAID-related gastrointestinal complications was higher in coxib users than nonselective NSAID users (odds ratio [OR] 1.18, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.10-1.26). Similarly, the prevalence of prior cardiovascular disease was higher in coxib users than in nonselective NSAID users (OR 1.35, 95% CI 1.28-1.43). Channeling of coxibs to patients with NSAID-related gastrointestinal risk factors declined after 2001 but increased again in 2004, whereas the channeling of coxibs to patients with cardiovascular disease remained constant. Less than 15% of all coxib users had history of ischemic coronary or cerebrovascular disease. Among coxib users with increased risk for NSAID-related gastrointestinal disorders, 27% had history of ischemic coronary or cerebrovascular disease. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that coxibs were preferentially prescribed to patients with risk factors for NSAID-related gastrointestinal disorders and/or cardiovascular diseases. Only one-quarter of coxib users with increased risk for NSAID-related gastrointestinal complications had cardiovascular conditions compatible with recent European safety contraindications for coxibs.