Concern in the use of NSAIDs in the community

January 01, 0001

Concern in the use of NSAIDs in the community

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medications are a common cause of reported adverse drug side- effects. This study describes the prevalence of non-steroidal anti- inflammatory (NSAID) use (other than low-dose aspirin) and the presence of co-existing relative contraindications to NSAID use and chronic conditions in a representative population sample. Data were analysed from 3,206 adults attending first follow-up of the North West Adelaide Health Study (NWAHS) in Australia in 2004 - 2006, a longitudinal representative population study. Medications were brought into study clinic visits by participants.

Of 3,175 participants, 11.2%, and 16% of those aged greater than 55 years, reported using either non-specific NSAIDs or COX-2 inhibitors, other than low-dose aspirin. Among people using NSAIDs, 60.8% had hypertension, 30.8% had Stage 3 or higher chronic kidney disease, 17.2% had a history of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and 20.7% had a greater than 15% 10-year CVD risk. The prevalence of NSAID use among people with hypertension was 16%, with kidney disease 15.9%, and a history of CVD 20.0%. Among people taking diuretics, 24.1% were also taking NSAIDs, and of those taking medications for gastro-esophageal reflux, 24.7% were on NSAIDs. Prescription-only COX-2 inhibitors, but not other NSAIDs, were used more by people greater than 75 years than by 35-54 year olds (Odds Ratio 3.7), and also were more commonly used by people with hypertension, cardiac and kidney disease.

The researchers concluded: "There is a high prevalence of current NSAID use among groups at-risk for significant drug-related adverse events or who have major chronic conditions that are relative contraindications to NSAID use. Assessment of absolute risks regarding cardiovascular and kidney disease need to take into account use of medications such as NSAIDs. The potential to make a substantial impact on chronic disease burden via improved use of NSAIDs is considerable."

This is of concern, especially with such large numbers of patients on such medications and becoming more available without scripts.

For the full abstract, click here.

BMC Family Practice 7 July 2011 © 1999-2011 BioMed Central Ltd
Cause for concern in the use of non-steroidal anti- inflammatory medications in the community - a population- based study. Robert J Adams, Sarah L Appleton, Tiffany K Gill et al. Correspondence to Robert Adams: [email protected]

Category: HSR. Health Services Research. Keywords: NSAIDs, use, concern, longitudinal population based study, journal watch.
Synopsis edited by Dr Stephen Wilkinson, Melbourne, Australia. Posted on Global Family Doctor 29 July 2011

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