NSAID exposure was evaluated overall and by individual compounds and classes, as
categorized below: acetic acid derivatives and related substances (ATC: M01AB), oxicams
(M01AC), propionic acid derivatives (M01AE), other anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic
agents (non-steroids) (M01AX), coxibs (M01AH) and salicylic acid and derivatives
(N02BA). The exposure to NSAIDs was always assessed prior to the index date. Use of more
than one NSAID was evaluated separately and mutually exclusive categories of individual
NSAID exposure compared to non-exposure were considered. The exposure to NSAIDs was
evaluated within three different observation periods (time windows): 90, 180, and 365 days
prior to the Index Date. The number of cases and controls using one or more than one NSAID
over the different time windows was reported in S1 Table. Patients receiving at least one
NSAID prescription in the first time window (within 90 days prior to the index date) were