Cox-2 Users at Risk When Not Taking GI Agents

Patients who take cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors (Cox-2 inhibitor) without adhering to a prescribed agent that protects the gastrointestinal tract are at an increased risk for an upper GI complication, a new study found. 

Researchers analyzed data from primary care databases in the U.K., Netherlands, and Italy on 14.416 new users of Cox-2 inhibitors over 50-years-old who were also using gastroprotective agents. 

The likelihood of a complication was significantly increased for every 10% decrease in adherence to gastroprotective agents.  This is a significant finding because “nonadherence to gastroprotective agents is a reversible risk factor, whereas most conventional risk factors are not," researchers wrote. 

-Michael Potts