1. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug withdrawal in patients with stable rheumatoid arthritis.
- Author
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McKellar GE, Hampson R, Tierney A, Capell HA, and Madhok R
- Subjects
- Adult, Aged, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal therapeutic use, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Severity of Illness Index, Treatment Outcome, Withholding Treatment, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal adverse effects, Arthritis, Rheumatoid drug therapy, Blood Pressure drug effects
- Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the effect of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) withdrawal on blood pressure (BP), 44-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS44), and functional assessments in patients with stable rheumatoid arthritis (RA)., Methods: NSAID was withdrawn from 30 patients with stable RA (DAS44 ≤ 2.8). Other prescribed medication continued. Clinical and laboratory measures were taken at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks., Results: No participants required NSAID reintroduction during the study period. Significant improvement in systolic BP was noted: maximal median reduction was 7 mm Hg (baseline to 12 weeks). There was no significant deterioration in DAS44 or function. Eleven participants required additional intervention., Conclusion: NSAID withdrawal resulted in improvement in BP without loss of disease control.
- Published
- 2011
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