Long-term NSAID use in primary care: changes over a decade and NICE risk factors for gastrointestinal adverse events

• Published in: Rheumatology (Oxford, England) Vol. 44; no. 10; pp. 1308 - 1310
• Main Authors: Thompson, P. W., Tee, L., McBride, J., Quincey, D., Strat Liddiard, G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 01.10.2005; Oxford Publishing Limited (England)
• Subjects: Aged; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - administration & dosage; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - adverse effects; Biological and medical sciences; Bones, joints and connective tissue. Antiinflammatory agents; Cox II selective drugs; Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors - administration & dosage; Drug Prescriptions - statistics & numerical data; Drug Utilization - statistics & numerical data; England; Family Practice - statistics & numerical data; Female; Gastrointestinal Diseases - chemically induced; Guideline Adherence; Health Care Surveys; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; NICE; NSAIDs; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Primary care; Primary Health Care - standards; Risk Factors; England; Non steroidal antiinflammatory agent; Toxicity; NSAIDs; Risk factor; Secondary effect; Cox II selective drugs; NICE; Gastrointestinal; Long term; Primary care; Care
• ISSN: 1462-0324; 1462-0332
• DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kei016

Objectives. To examine prescribing of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in general practice and to compare the results with a 1993 study. To assess numbers at risk of gastrointestinal adverse events using the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance on the use of cyclo-oxygenase (Cox) II selective drugs. Methods. Patients currently prescribed a NSAID for 2 months or more were identified from practice records. Demographic information, indications, previous gastrointestinal disease, serious co-morbidity and concomitant prescriptions were recorded. Data were compared with the 1993 survey and the NICE guidance. Results. Seven thousand nine hundred and fifty-eight patients were registered with the practice in 2003. Two hundred and four patients were receiving repeat prescriptions for conventional NSAIDs and 63 for Cox II selective drugs. As in 1993 diclofenac (38%) and ibuprofen (24%) were the commonest individual agents and the main indication was regional pain. Seventy-three per cent of patients prescribed Cox II selective drugs and 64% of patients prescribed conventional NSAIDs had at least one NICE risk factor for gastrointestinal adverse events. Frequency of co-prescription of aspirin or antacids was similar for conventional NSAIDs and Cox II selective drugs, but prescription of antacids was higher with NICE risk factors. Conclusion. The indications for NSAIDs have not changed since 1993. Cox II selective drug prescribing was within the NICE guidance but a substantial proportion of patients taking other NSAIDs had risk factors for gastrointestinal adverse events. Discussion with the GPs highlighted the difficulties of balancing perceived risk of gastrointestinal adverse events with cardioprotection and further guidance is urgently needed.