Table 7

Analysis of changes to haematological parameters in patients treated for arthritis

Number of

Incidence of events (%)

Outcome/ comparisons

Celecoxib daily dose

Comparator and daily dose

Trials

Patients

Celecoxib

Comparator

Relative risk^a (95% CI)

NNTp^b or NNH^c (95% CI)

Haemoglobin fall of 20 g/L or more

Celecoxib v placebo

Any

Placebo

5

3,577

0.8

0.5

1.5 (0.56–4.0)

Celecoxib v paracetamol

Any

Paracetamol 4,000 mg

Celecoxib v rofecoxib

Any

Rofecoxib 25 mg

Celecoxib (200/400) v NSAID

200–400 mg

NSAID to maximum daily

10

15,746

1.1

2.2

0.71 (0.55–0.91)^a

92 (66–150)^b

Celecoxib (any dose) v NSAID

Any

NSAID to maximum daily

10

16,180

1.1

2.2

0.72 (0.56–0.92)^a

93 (67–150)^b

Celecoxib (any dose) v any active

Any

Any active comparator

11

16,990

1.1

2.1

0.72 (0.56–0.92)^a

100 (71–170)^b

Haematocrit fall of 5% or more

Celecoxib v placebo

Any

Placebo

9

6,442

8.1

6.5

1.20 (0.98–1.5)

Celecoxib v paracetamol

Any

Paracetamol 4,000 mg

Celecoxib v rofecoxib

Any

Rofecoxib 25 mg

2

962

12.6

17.1

0.74 (0.54–1.01)

Celecoxib (200/400) v NSAID

200–400 mg

NSAID to maximum daily

12

6,910

9.9

15.4

0.77 (0.68–0.88)^a

18 (14–25)^b

Celecoxib (any dose) v NSAID

Any

NSAID to maximum daily

12

8,038

9.9

15.4

0.78 (0.69–0.89)^a

18 (14–25)^b

Celecoxib (any dose) v any active

Any

Any active comparator

14

8,970

10.1

15.6

0.78 (0.69–0.88)^a

18 (14–25)^b

^aRelative risk: bold indicates statistically significant difference. ^bNNTp (number-needed-to-treat to prevent one event) is indicated by bold. ^cNNH (number-needed-to-treat to harm one patient). CI, confidence interval; NSAID, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

Moore et al. Arthritis Research & Therapy 2005 7:R644   doi:10.1186/ar1704