Liew JW, Ward MM, Reveille JD, et al. - In a longitudinal ankylosing spondylitis (AS) cohort, researchers explored the connection between nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use and incident hypertension. Recruitment of 1,282 patients was completed in this prospective cohort study. The analysis involved 628 patients who were without baseline hypertension and had at least 1 year of follow up. Among these, 72% were male, the mean age at baseline was 39 ± 13 years, and continuous use of NSAID was reported in 200 patients. Incident hypertension developed in 129 patients on follow-up. Findings suggested an association of continuous NSAID use with a 12% raised risk for the development of incident hypertension, as compared with non-continuous or no NSAID use. The relationship did not vary in subgroups defined by age, BMI, biologic use, or disease activity.