Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and risk of venous thromboembolism: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to integrate and examine the association between NSAID use and venous thromboembolism (VTE). METHODS We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that reported odds ratios, relative risks, hazard ratios or standardized incidence ratios for VTE among NSAID users compared with non-users. Pooled risk ratios and 95% CIs were calculated using a random effects generic inverse variance model. RESULTS Six studies with 21 401 VTE events were identified and included in the data analysis. The pooled risk ratio of VTE in NSAID users was 1.80 (95% CI 1.28, 2.52). CONCLUSION Our study demonstrated a statistically significant increased risk of VTE among NSAID users. This finding has important public health implications given the prevalence of NSAID use in the general population.