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Meta-Analysis
. 2020 Jul;120(7):1066-1074.
doi: 10.1055/s-0040-1710592. Epub 2020 May 26.

Risk of Bleeding with Exposure to Warfarin and Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Lorenzo Villa Zapata  1 , Philip D Hansten  2 , Jennifer Panic  3 , John R Horn  4 , Richard D Boyce  5 , Sheila Gephart  6 , Vignesh Subbian  7 , Andrew Romero  8 , Daniel C Malone  9
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Risk of Bleeding with Exposure to Warfarin and Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Lorenzo Villa Zapata et al. Thromb Haemost. 2020 Jul.

Abstract

Background: Warfarin use can trigger the occurrence of bleeding independently or as a result of a drug-drug interaction when used in combination with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Objectives: This article examines the risk of bleeding in individuals exposed to concomitant warfarin and NSAID compared with those taking warfarin alone (Prospero Registry ID 145237).

Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched. The primary outcome of interest was gastrointestinal bleeding and general bleeding. Summary effects were calculated to estimate average treatment effect using random effects models. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran's Q and I 2. Risk of bias was also assessed using the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality bias assessment tool.

Results: A total of 651 studies were identified, of which 11 studies met inclusion criteria for meta-analysis. The odds ratio (OR) for gastrointestinal bleeding when exposed to warfarin and an NSAID was 1.98 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.55-2.53). The risk of gastrointestinal bleeding was also significantly elevated with exposure to a COX-2 inhibitor and warfarin relative to warfarin alone (OR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.46-2.46). There was an increased risk of general bleeding with the combination of warfarin with NSAIDs (OR = 1.58, 95% CI: 1.18-2.12) or COX-2 inhibitors (OR = 1.54, 95% CI: 0.86-2.78) compared with warfarin alone.

Conclusion: Risk of bleeding is significantly increased among persons taking warfarin and a NSAID or COX-2 inhibitor together as compared with taking warfarin alone. It is important to caution patients about taking these medications in combination.

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Conflict of interest statement

None declared.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow chart of study selection according to Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
(A) Gastrointestinal bleeding. Warfarin – NSAID. (B) Gastrointestinal bleeding. Warfarin – COX-2.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
(A) General bleeding, Warfarin – NSAID. (B) General bleeding, Warfarin – COX-2.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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