The study, sponsored by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and conducted by researchers at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) in Montreal, examined the relationship between the use of all nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and the risk of heart attack in 113,927 Quebec senior citizens. Only one of these agents, a COX-2 inhibitor called Vioxx--a new class of NSAIDs--carried a greater risk of heart attack.

"Many believe that COX-2 inhibitors increase the chance of a heart attack in high risk groups, for example people who have already suffered a heart attack," explains primary author Linda Lvesque, a pharmacist and McGill University PhD candidate in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics. Lvesque worked with co-author Dr. James Brophy, a cardiologist and Director of the Technology Assessment Unit (TAU) at the MUHC and Associate Professor of Medicine at McGill University. "This study demonstrates the overall risk of heart attack is increased 24% for users of Vioxx who have not previously suffered a heart attack," Lvesque says.

The study also reveals that aspirin use can help offset the damaging effects of Vioxx. "Aspirin mitigates the risk to individuals," confirms Lvesque. "But only in those on a low dosage of Vioxx."

The study also demonstrates that the increased risk of heart attack is only present while taking the drug. "Past users of Vioxx were not at increased risk," explains Lvesque. "While the risk more than doubles for those who are taking high doses of the drug even when using aspirin."

COX-2 inhibitors are commonly used to relieve the pain and inflammation caused by arthritis in the elderly. These drugs are be
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Contact: Ian Popple
ian.popple@muhc.mcgill.ca
514-843-1560
McGill University
1-Feb-2005