OBJECTIVE

Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors (coxibs) are associated with less upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) than traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (tNSAIDs). However, they also increase the risk of UGIB in high-risk patients. We aimed to identify the risk factors of UGIB in coxibs users.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

2000-2010 National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan.

SUBJECTS

Patients taking coxibs as the study group and patients not taking any coxibs as controls.

METHODS

After age, gender, and comorbidity matching by propensity score, 12,145 coxibs users and 12,145 matched controls were extracted for analysis. The primary end point was the occurrence of UGIB. Cox multivariate proportional hazard regression models were used to determine the risk factors for UGIB among all the enrollees and coxibs users.

RESULTS

During a mean follow-up of three years, coxibs users had significantly higher incidence of UGIB than matched controls (P < 0.001, log-rank test). Cox regression analysis showed that coxibs increased risk of UGIB in all participants (hazard ratio = 1.37, 95% confidence interval = 1.19-1.55, P < 0.001). Independent risk factors for UGIB among coxibs users were age, male gender, diabetes, chronic renal disease, cirrhosis, history of peptic ulcer disease, PU bleeding (PUB), Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection, and concomitant use of tNSAIDs, acetylsalicylic acid, or thienopyridines.

CONCLUSIONS

Among coxibs users, H. pylori infection and history of PUB were especially important risk factors for UGIB. Further studies are needed to determine whether proton pump inhibitors might play a protective role in these at-risk patients.