The fear for adverse bleeding and cardiovascular events in hemophilia patients using (non-)selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: A systematic review reporting on safety

Abstract

(Non-)selective non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used for musculoskeletal related pain. These cheap and easily accessible drugs may be of great value for hemophilia patients in developing countries and countries with a high rate of opioid poisoning, but also in developed countries due to potential joint protective effects. However, fear for adverse bleeding and cardiovascular events during the use of these drugs restrains prescription within this population. To give a complete overview of all publications reporting on safety, a systematic search till March 2021 was performed. All studies were reviewed and critically appraised and this resulted in 19 studies eligible for inclusion. Most studies with (non-)selective NSAIDs showed no evident risk for relevant adverse bleeding or cardiovascular events. However, some studies had a high risk of bias and studies reporting on cardiovascular events were limited. Future studies with longitudinal follow-up in well-defined large patient populations, including older patients, focusing on both adverse bleeding and cardiovascular events are required to confirm the alleged safe use.