Degree
Master of Science
Program
Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Supervisor
Dr. Amit Garg
Abstract
Several case reports suggest that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be
associated with thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). We conducted a matched case-control
study with linked administrative healthcare data in Ontario, Canada to assess the relationship
between TMA hospitalization and recent exposure to prescription NSAIDs versus
acetaminophen (where the latter was a referent group with no known association with TMA).
Cases and controls were drawn from a source population of adults who filled a prescription
for NSAIDs or acetaminophen between 1996 and 2015 (restricted to adults with prescription
drug benefits). Cases comprised individuals hospitalized with TMA between 1996 and 2015.
Controls were matched to cases (4:1) on demographic and medical risk factors. Cases (n=38) were less likely to have received a recent prescription for NSAIDs relative to acetaminophen (adjusted odds ratio 0.37, 95% confidence interval 0.16-0.84). Results were similar in two additional analyses with alternative referent groups. Overall, the results of this study do not support a harmful association between NSAID use and TMA.
Recommended Citation
Liu, Ranke, "A matched case-control study to assess the association between non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug use and thrombotic microangiopathy" (2017). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 4745.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/4745