Impact of diclofenac risk minimization measures addressing cardiovascular risk on analgesic use in musculoskeletal disorders

AIMS: In 2013, risk minimization measures (RMMs) were introduced in Europe to address the increased cardiovascular risk linked to diclofenac. This study aimed to assess the impact of those RMMs on analgesic use.

METHODS: Primary care data from CPRD GOLD (UK) were used. Patients newly diagnosed with musculoskeletal disorders during 2010-2019 were categorized into 4 cohorts, according to their diagnosis: acute (inflammatory) musculoskeletal conditions, chronic arthritic conditions, secondary arthritic conditions, or other painful conditions. The impact of the RMMs was studied using interrupted time series and survival analyses. Analyses were stratified by cardiovascular risk: (i) no risk factors or contraindications mentioned by RMMs; (ii) at least 1 risk factor; and (iii) at least 1 contraindication (prior cardiovascular events).

RESULTS: In total, 1 798 885 patients were included, with >28% having at least 1 cardiovascular risk factor and >7% having at least 1 contraindication for diclofenac. Initiation of diclofenac was already decreasing before the RMMs, but the RMMs were associated with a further immediate decrease in 2 cohorts (from -0.9 to -1.6%). No substantial difference in impact was observed depending on cardiovascular risk. The time from diagnosis to analgesic treatment increased after RMMs implementation, especially in patients with chronic arthritic conditions: median time increased from 4.2 to 7.6 months [95% confidence interval 4.0-4.5 and 7.4-7.8, respectively].

CONCLUSION: The observed decrease of diclofenac initiation was unrelated to patients' cardiovascular risk. Continued prescribing of systemic diclofenac to patients with contraindications suggests limited impact of RMMs. Increased time from diagnosis to analgesic treatment suggests broader changes in analgesic prescribing practices.