Patient Perception of the Burden of Weight Gain and Blood Pressure Increase among RA Patients Using Celecoxib, Rofecoxib, and Non-specific NSAIDs

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) may be accompanied by clinically important renal side effects. We compared the rate of reported side effects from celecoxib, rofecoxib, and nonspecific (NS) NSAIDs and their burden in RA patients. Patients on rofecoxib were more likely to report a problem with weight gain (P < 0.05) and an increase in blood pressure (P < 0.001). In addition, rofecoxib users were 28% more likely to be in a more severe category for being bothered by unintentional weight gain (OR = 1.28, P < 0.05) and 53% more likely to state that they were in a more severe category for blood pressure increase (OR = 1.53, P < 0.000), compared with patients receiving celecoxib. Weight gain and blood pressure were also increased by coexisting cardiovascular disease. Clinicians should be aware that patient-reported weight gain and increases in blood pressure can occur with all NSAIDs, and may be particularly increased with rofecoxib. Existing cardiovascular disease is also an independent predictor of weight gain and increased blood pressure.