In March of 2007 the American Heart Association released a Scientific Statement outlining their suggestions for using the class of medications known as Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), especially the group known as Cox-2 Inhibitors. There was an uproar and confusion among Rheumatologists who commonly prescribe the drugs.
This article discussed the AHA’s Statement from the viewpoints of both the cardiologists and rheumatologists. It set out the findings of the cardiologists and then what experts in rheumatology saw as the major problems with the science and the Statement’s conclusions. Finally, we attempted to give rheumatologists information to help them make their own informed decisions and to help them appropriately address concerns patients may have about using these medications.
The major findings were that the rheumatologists felt that the AHA focused solely on the cardiovascular effects while not adequately taking into account the non-cardiac risks and, most importantly the benefits, of the Cox-2 Inhibitors. There was also the thought that the Statement glossed over many of the side effects of the other medications they were suggesting.