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medpundit |
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Friday, February 14, 2003They found that the 187 taking both aspirin and ibuprofen had a doubled risk of dying from any cause and a 75% increased risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, compared to those just taking aspirin. Those taking aspirin and another NSAID were also at no increased risk. This is just getting too easy. The actual numbers were: Percentage of those taking aspirin alone who died during the study: 32% (1983 out of 6285) So how did the BBC come up with that doubled risk for any sort of death and 75% increased risk for cardiovascular death in those who take aspirin and ibuprofen together? Chances are they didn't look at the study, but relied on a press release which only focused on the author's overblown conclusions. The authors, you see, focused on hazard ratios which exaggerate the miniscule differences between the two groups. Don’t be in a hurry to throw out your ibuprofen if it’s helping your arthritis. In a few months another study will claim just the opposite, on just as tenuous data. The larger question is, why do respectable journals allow that sort of hypberbole to flourish in their pages? It's become the norm rather than the rule, and it does nothing to enhance the credibility of the medical profession. posted by Sydney on 2/14/2003 06:22:00 AM 0 comments 0 Comments: |
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