The Effect of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs and Selective COX-2 Inhibitors on Bone Healing. Review uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • A recently published study, "Risk of Nonunion With Nonselective NSAIDs, COX-2 Inhibitors, and Opioids" by George et al (J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2020;102:1230-1238), assesses whether the use of nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), selective cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) enzyme inhibitors, or opioids was associated with a risk of long bone fracture nonunion in Optum's deidentified private health database. This review analyzes the study, including strengths, weaknesses, and areas for future research. The study found an association between COX-2 inhibitor and opioid use with fracture nonunion but not with nonselective NSAID use. Although the literature on this topic is varied, these results are at least partially aligned with several animal studies that show COX-2 inhibitors to be associated with fracture nonunion. The George et al study design has several important limitations, indicating that further research is needed on this topic.

publication date

  • March 20, 2021

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC8361590

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 57049122815

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/j.bone.2008.08.109

PubMed ID

  • 34421436

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 17

issue

  • 2