Table 2.
Risk factors identified in patients taking COX-2 inhibitor therapy.
| Risk factor | Number of patients (%)* (n = 627) |
|---|---|
| Age greater than 70 years | 230 (36.8%) |
| Renal impairment | 37 (5.9%) |
| Heart failure | 53 (8.5%) |
| Hypertension | 233 (37.2%) |
| Aspirin allergy | 11 (1.8%) |
| Previous peptic ulcer disease | 109 (17.4%) |
| Self purchase of NSAID therapy (oral or topical) | 10 (10.6%) |
| Sulphonamide allergy | 32 (5.1%) |
| Taking low dose aspirin | 145 (23.1%) |
| Taking an ACE inhibitor | 131 (20.9%) |
| Taking warfarin | 13 (2.1%) |
| Taking diuretics | 105 (16.7%) |
| Taking a corticosteroids | 51 (8.1%) |
*
Patients may have been noted to have more than one risk factor or drug interaction.