Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and blood pressure control in patients treated for hypertension: results from the Swedish primary care cardiovascular database

Purpose: The aim of this observational cohort study was to investigate blood pressure level and the possibility to reach target blood pressure during concomitant use of NSAID in hypertensive patients.Materials and methods: From the Swedish primary care cardiovascular database (SPCCD) a cohort of 5463 patients (2007 to 2008) with at least one prescription of NSAID dispensed 6 months prior to the last blood pressure measurement were included. Clinical data were extracted from computerized medical records and linked to the Prescribed Drug Register. Multivariable logistic regression models were used for analysis.Results: Patients with NSAID usage were younger, more often female, with lower creatinine concentrations, more musculoskeletal diagnosis and less cardiovascular comorbidity compared to patients without dispensed NSAID (p<.0001 for all). Regular dose of NSAID was not associated with a decreased possibility to reach target blood pressure. A correlation between the dose of naproxen and an increase in SBP of 7mm Hg was found. Impairment in renal function did not influence the association between blood pressure control and NSAID (p=.27).Conclusion: In hypertensive patients with concomitant use of NSAID the chance to reach target blood pressure was not impaired. In intermediate and frequent users of NSAID there was a dose response relation with naproxen and SBP which was not found in diclofenac and ibuprofen.