Etoricoxib was noninferior to diclofenac for cardiovascular outcomes in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis

摘要

Selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors were introduced as annalternative to traditional NSAIDs because of their reduced propensitynto induce gastrointestinal bleeding. Confidence in selective COX-2ninhibitors was shaken when increases in myocardial infarction and cerebralnthrombosis were shown in patients receiving these drugs (1). However,nthese adverse effects were noted in comparative trials of COX-2-ntreated and placebo-treated patients, a design with ethical difficulties.