Association between NSAIDs and heart failure in patients with diabetes

The researchers used Danish registers to identify patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes from 1998 to 2021. Patients with heart failure or a rheumatological condition requiring long-term NSAID use were excluded. Information was collected on prescriptions for oral NSAIDs claimed prior to first-time heart failure hospitalization. Using a case-crossover design in which each patient acted as his or her own control, associations between short-term NSAID use and the risk of first-time heart failure hospitalization were assessed.

The study included 331,189 patients with type 2 diabetes. The average age was 62 years and 44% were women.

NSAID use was associated with an elevated risk of first-time heart failure hospitalization. When individual NSAIDs were analyzed separately, the risk of heart failure hospitalization was increased following the use of diclofenac or ibuprofen.

The researchers also analyzed the risk of heart failure with NSAID use in subgroups of patients. Strong associations were found in patients above 65 years of age, while no association was found in those below 65 years of age. The strongest association was found in very infrequent or new users of NSAIDs.

Ref:

Dr. Anders Holt et al,ESC Congress 2022