Pain Relievers and Heart Risk Still Confusing to Arthritis Patients

Previous studies, which assessed the potential heart risk associated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), have left arthritis patients confused. All prior studies were conducted on arthritis patients who did not have heart disease or significant heart risk.

Cardiologist Steven E. Nissen, M.D. will be lead investigator for a new study of 20,000 patients from the United States, Canada, South America, Europe, and Australia - the PRECISION trial (Prospective Ramdomized Evaluation of Celecoxib Integrated Safety vs. Ibuprofen or Naproxen). The study will enroll patients with osteoarthritis who have known heart disease or risk factors for heart disease. There will also be some rheumatoid arthritis patients recruited. The study is expected to begin by mid-2006 and be complete 4 years later.

The answers and determinations from PRECISION must wait until 2010, but will be a relief to many arthritis patients who don't know whether to take their NSAID, not take their NSAID, or switch their NSAID. MedicalNewsToday.com reports that up to 64 percent of people living with pain are confused about which pain medication they should or should not take. That result came from a survey conducted by the Arthritis Action Group (AAG).

• Up to 64% of people believe conflicting information makes it hard to know which pain medication to take.
• Up to 78% of people feel they don't know enough about benefits and risks of pain medications.
• Up to 47% of people in pain don't use pain medication at all.

Other survey results showed a breakdown or gap in communication between doctors and patients regarding their medications. Patients are not discussing their concerns with their doctors and doctors aren't communicating well with regard to benefits and risks for a variety of reasons given.

• The Facts of NSAIDs
• Inflammation: Test Your Knowledge
• Arthritis Medications: Test Your Knowledge
• More About COX-2 Inhibitors

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