August 13, 2019
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) used against osteoarthritis are believed to increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Increased heart risk
A study published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatology reveals that pain medication is believed to increase the heart risk in patients with osteoarthritis. Canadian researchers compared data from 7,743 patients with osteoarthritis to 23,229 people without.
They noted that people with osteoarthritis had 23% more risk of developing cardiovascular disease compared to people without the disease. The researchers estimated that the risk of congestive heart failure was 42% higher in people with osteoarthritis than in people without osteoarthritis. The risk of ischemic heart disease would increase by 17% in people with osteoarthritis and the risk of stroke would be 14% higher.
The use of NSAIDs involved
Scientists took into account factors such as diabetes, hypertension, body mass index but also socioeconomic status. They established that 41% of the increased risk of cardiovascular disease was due to taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Study author Aslam Anis said it was “the first longitudinal study to assess the mediating role of the use of NSAIDs in the relationship between osteoarthritis and cardiovascular disease“. He recommends that people with osteoarthritis discuss the risks of painkillers with their doctor.
Stephanie Haerts
Read also: How to treat osteoarthritis?
