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Do selective COX‐2 inhibitors increase the risk of cerebrovascular events? A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Author(s) -
Chen LC.,
Ashcroft D. M.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
journal of clinical pharmacy and therapeutics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.622
H-Index - 73
eISSN - 1365-2710
pISSN - 0269-4727
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2710.2006.00774.x
Subject(s) - rofecoxib , medicine , etoricoxib , valdecoxib , placebo , randomized controlled trial , celecoxib , meta analysis , odds ratio , anesthesia , cyclooxygenase , biochemistry , chemistry , alternative medicine , pathology , enzyme
Abstract Objectives: To evaluate the risk of cerebrovascular events (CVEs) associated with selective cyclooxygenase‐2 inhibitors (coxibs). Method: Systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A fixed‐effect model was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) for risk of CVE associated with coxibs compared against placebo, non‐selective non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and other coxibs. Results: Forty trials (88 116 patients) were included in the meta‐analysis. The overall pooled OR for CVE for any coxib against placebo was 1·03 (95% CI: 0·71, 1·50). Comparing individual coxibs against placebo, we found that celecoxib, rofecoxib, etoricoxib and lumiracoxib were associated with higher CVE risks and valdecoxib was associated with a lower CVE risk, although there were no significant differences detected. There was also no significant difference in risk of CVE when comparing coxibs against any non‐selective NSAIDs; the corresponding pooled OR was 0·86 (95% CI: 0·64, 1·16). Conclusion: On the basis of a detailed analysis of available RCTs, there does not appear to be any significant difference in risk of CVEs associated with coxibs when compared against placebo or non‐selective NSAIDs. It is likely that the increased risk of thrombotic vascular events associated with coxibs is largely attributable to an increased risk of myocardial infarction, rather than CVEs.