[Systematic review: is the use of NSAIDs safe during pregnancy in women with rheumatic disease?]

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the security of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) in rheumatic disease patients during pregnancy.

Methods: We performed a systematic review using a sensitive search strategy. All studies published in MEDLINE (since 1961), EMBASE (since 1961) and Cochrane Library (up to January 2008) were selected. We defined the population (pregnant women 16 years or above with a musculoskeletal disease), the intervention (use of NSAID), and the outcomes related to safety (number of live births, stillbirths, length of gestation and of labour, birth-weight, number and type of congenital malformations). The titles and abstracts of articles retrieved from the search were reviewed and high quality cohorts and case-control studies were included.

Results: Of a total of 149 references retrieved, only 8 were analyzed in detail, and 3 were finally included. More than 2600 pregnant patients were analyzed. There are many different NSAIDs as well as many different outcomes. Different NSAID were included as well as different outcomes. There was no increased risk of congenital malformations in two of the studies. In the third one there was an increased risk for cardiac malformations (OR=1.86; 95% CI, 1.32-2.62) and orofacial clefts (OR=2.61; 95% CI, 1.01-6.78).

Conclusions: There is not enough information to support the negative effects of NSAIDs during pregnancy. On the other hand there is one study suggesting that the use of NSAIDs could increase the risk of cardiac and orofacial malformations in newborns, therefore these drugs should be used with caution.