To evaluate the effect of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) withdrawal on blood pressure (BP), 44-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS44), and functional assessments in patients with stable rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
NSAID was withdrawn from 30 patients with stable RA (DAS44 ≤ 2.8). Other prescribed medication continued. Clinical and laboratory measures were taken at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks.
No participants required NSAID reintroduction during the study period. Significant improvement in systolic BP was noted: maximal median reduction was 7 mm Hg (baseline to 12 weeks). There was no significant deterioration in DAS44 or function. Eleven participants required additional intervention.
NSAID withdrawal resulted in improvement in BP without loss of disease control.