Executive Summary

Ibuprofen, among other nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, might increase the risk of cardiovascular disease events in certain patients, according to research in the August issue of Arthritis Care & Research. Working with consumers at least 80 years old who take NSAIDs to relieve arthritis symptoms, the researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston find "several patient characteristics identify important subgroups that may be at an increased risk when using specific agents," according to the study. The researchers link ibuprofen use with increased CVD event risk in patients with histories of hypertension, prior myocardial infarction, rheumatoid arthritis and chronic renal disease