As per the findings of a recent systematic review and meta-analysis, exposure to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was not related to increased risk of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2, hospital admission in SARS-CoV-2-positive patients, or severe COVID-19 or death with sufficient power to eliminate significant risk.

This study was conducted for examining the role of NSAIDs in coronavirus infection. The original publications offering information on NSAIDs exposure and SARS-CoV-2 outcomes were retrieved and were incorporated with Cochrane Revue Manager. Inverse variance odds ratio (OR) via fixed-effects or random-effects models were used.

Of 92,853 papers associated with COVID-19, 266 stated NSAIDs and 61 stated ibuprofen; and 19 papers had analyzable data. Notably, 3 papers indicated NSAID exposure and the chances of coronavirus-positivity, 5 papers reported the danger of hospital admission in positive patients, 10 papers reported death, and 6 papers revealed severe composite outcomes. Overall, 5 papers investigated ibuprofen exposure and mortality.

Utilizing random-effects models, no excess risk of COVID-19 positivity (OR 0.86) was noted. In COVID-19 positive people, exposure to NSAIDs was not related to excess risk of hospitalization (OR 0.90), mortality (OR 0.88), or serious outcomes (OR 1.14). There was no elevated risk of death noted with ibuprofen (OR 0.94).

Utilizing a fixed-effect model did not lead to modification of the outcomes, nor did the sensitivity assessment. Thus, the theoretical risks of ibuprofen or NSAIDs in coronavirus disease are not confirmed by observational data.