Diclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) used to treat mild-to-moderate pain. It can also be taken to help relieve symptoms of arthritis (inflammation, swelling, stiffness, and joint pain), osteoarthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis. It can also be used to treat ankylosing spondylitis. However, a recent study published in BMJ reviews that cardiovascular risks of using diclofenac.
Diclofenac use linked to increased risk of major cardiovascular events, finds #BMJResearch https://t.co/1nUYjV8ckM pic.twitter.com/yleasTT34E
— The BMJ (@bmj_latest) September 4, 2018
Diclofenac use linked to increased risk of major cardiovascular events: "It is time to acknowledge the potential health risk of diclofenac and to reduce its use," conclude researchers https://t.co/1nUYjV8ckM pic.twitter.com/kTgIA8LzWR
— The BMJ (@bmj_latest) September 5, 2018
In this study, researchers compared the cardiovascular risks of diclofenac initiation with initiation of other traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, initiation of paracetamol, and no initiation. This study included a series of 252 nationwide cohort studies, each mimicking the strict design criteria of a clinical trial. In order to compute the intention to treat hazard ratio of major adverse cardiovascular events within 30 days of initiation, Cox proportional hazards regression was used.
One of the world’s most-used painkillers, diclofenac, sold under a variety of trade names in the U.S., has been linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke in a major study of more than six million people published Wednesday morning https://t.co/RnzXBfezOX
— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) September 5, 2018
According to study results, the adverse event rate among diclofenac initiators increased by 50% compared with non-initiators (incidence rate ratio 1.5, 95% confidence interval 1.4 to 1.7), 20% compared with paracetamol or ibuprofen initiators (both 1.2, 1.1 to 1.3), and 30% compared with naproxen initiators (1.3, 1.1 to 1.5).
Bad news on diclofenac (Voltaren), a commonly used anti-inflammatory, with heart risks in excess of acetaminophen, naproxen and ibuprofen https://t.co/pXNzV5vCv4 @bmj_latest open-access by @Morten__Schmidt @ToftSorensen @Lars_HP @AarhusUni @AUHd pic.twitter.com/PtsiMfWX8B
— Eric Topol (@EricTopol) September 4, 2018
Aging cardiac patients and those with #CVD risk factors will all face arthritis. #NSAIDs are common source of relief for their pain but carry risks of HTN, renal injury and CV events. @bmj_latest highlights #Diclofenac and increased #MACE https://t.co/oU7XjBWULp pic.twitter.com/B5PkPZFApw
— Dr. Sheila Sahni (@DrSheilaSahni) September 5, 2018
“Diclofenac poses a cardiovascular health risk compared with non-use, paracetamol use, and use of other traditional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,” the researchers concluded.
Check out an article on the early bone changes occurring in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).
SOURCE: BMJ
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