What Was the Likely Risk of Naproxen in This Study?*

The chance of undefined "cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events" among relatively healthy people age 70 or older over about 3 years.


  Naproxen Placebo Celebrex TOTAL
Events 26 26 18 70
Number in Group 702 1,057 704 2,463
Risk 3.7%
(3.7 in 100)
2.5%
(2.5 in 100)
2.5%
(2.5 in 100)
 
Possible Effect of Drug 50% higher risk than placebo (1.2 more events per 100 people) N/A Same risk as placebo  

* Calculation assuming that Celebrex had no effect on risk.

Related story: Where the Naproxen Story Went Wrong (Post, Feb. 1, 2005)

SOURCE: News reports, ADAPT study facts and authors' calculation
Graphic: The Washington Post


© 2005 The Washington Post Company