Researchers examined 28,947 people who suffered an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in Denmark between 2001 and 2010. They also collected data on all redeemed prescriptions for NSAIDs from Danish pharmacies since 1995. They used a case-time-control design, in which each patient was a case and a control in different time periods. They compared the use of NSAIDs 30 days prior to the cardiac arrest to NSAID use during the preceding 30 days.
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Of the 28,947 people, 3,376 used a NSAID up to 30 days before the cardiac event. Ibuprofen and diclofenac were the most commonly used drugs.
Taking any NSAID was associated with a 31 percent increase in risk of cardiac arrest. Specifically, diclofenac was linked to a 50 percent increase in cardiac arrest risk, and ibuprofen was associated with a 31 percent increased risk. Naproxen, celecoxib and rofecoxib were not associated with risk of cardiac arrest.
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