During the early phases of the coronavirus pandemic, trepidations were raised that the use of the NSAIDs may lead to a more severe onset of the disease. As the use of ibuprofen and other NSAIDs is widespread, data on their safety is little and urgently needed to guide clinicians and patients.
In this new study, scientists obtained data on all 9,326 Danish residents who tested positive for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Data that was available on the use of NSAID was 30-day mortality, hospitalization, ICU admission, mechanical ventilation, and acute renal replacement therapy. About 248 people (2.7%) had filled a prescription for NSAIDs within 30 days of their positive virus test. The researchers found no link between any of the outcomes and NSAID use.
Among these NSAID users in a matched cohort who tested positive for the coronavirus, 6.3% died, 24.5% were hospitalized and 4.9% were admitted to ICU. Out of those, the patients who tested positive for the coronavirus but were not treated with NSAIDs, 6.1% died, 21.2% were hospitalized, and 4.7% were admitted to ICU or needed mechanical ventilation.
None of the differences in outcomes between groups were statistically significant. Taking into consideration the available suggestion, there is no reason to stop/ withdraw a well-indicated use of NSAIDs during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the authors say.
However, it is suggested that well-established adverse effects of NSAIDs, particularly their renal, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular effects, should always be considered. The use of NSAIDs should be in the lowest possible dose for the shortest possible duration for all patients.
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Ref link: https://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1003308