NSAIDs use and Strokes

In clinical trials involving COX-2 selective NDAIDS is asoociated with increased incidence of strokes. In this European study published in JAMA authors propectively looked at incidence of strokes in over 7000 patients over 10 years. They conclude that Current users of nonselective (HR, 1.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.22-2.44) and COX-2–selective (HR, 2.75; 95% CI, 1.28-5.95) NSAIDs had a greater risk of stroke, but not users of COX-1–selective NSAIDs (HR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.41-2.97). Hazard ratios (95% CIs) for ischemic stroke were 1.68 (1.05-2.69) for nonselective and 4.54 (2.06-9.98) for COX-2–selective NSAIDs. For individual NSAIDs, current use of the nonselective naproxen (HR, 2.63; 95% CI, 1.47-4.72) and the COX-2–selective rofecoxib (HR, 3.38; 95% CI, 1.48-7.74) was associated with a greater risk of stroke. Hazard ratios (95% CIs) for diclofenac (1.60 [1.00-2.57]), ibuprofen (1.47 [0.73-3.00]), and celecoxib (1.79 [0.52-2.76]) were greater than 1.00 but were not statistically significant.

Here is the study report..