Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Observational studies were eligible for inclusion.
Specific interventions included in the review
Studies of non-selective NSAIDs were eligible for inclusion. The NSAIDs used in the review were diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen and other categories, including non-aspirin and non-naproxen. NSAID exposure was reported to be short in most studies, and information on dose was available in under half of the included studies. Reported concomitant medications included aspirin.
Participants included in the review
Studies of current NSAID users compared with non-users or remote users were eligible for inclusion. The included NSAID users were aged between 18 and 101 years. The majority of studies included participants from non-specified populations, with the exception of menopausal women and rheumatoid arthritis patients. The studies were located in Canada, Denmark, the United Kingdom and the USA.
Outcomes assessed in the review
Studies of objectively confirmed AMI were eligible for inclusion. The included outcomes were first hospitalised AMI, hospitalised AMI, first AMI, stroke, death due to coronary heart disease, sudden cardiac death and sudden death.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
Two reviewers independently selected studies for the review, and any disagreements were resolved by discussion.