Key clinical point: Tramadol was associated with higher all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, venous thromboembolism, and hip fracture, compared with NSAIDs, in patients with OA.

Major finding: Within the first year of prescription, all-cause mortality rates for tramadol were higher versus naproxen (hazard ratio, 1.20), diclofenac (HR, 1.3), and cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors (HR, 1.5).

Study details: A large (n = 112,650), sequential propensity score–matched, population-based cohort study performed in British Columbia.

Disclosures: The study authors had no conflicts of interest.