1. High-risk use of over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: a population-based cross-sectional study
- Author
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Patrick J E Bindels, Johan van der Lei, Geert W't Jong, Sevde Celik, Miriam C. J. M. Sturkenboom, Pim A J Luijsterburg, Aafke R Koffeman, Sita M A Bierma-Zeinstra, Vera E. Valkhoff, General Practice, Medical Informatics, and Gastroenterology & Hepatology
- Subjects
Drug ,Adult ,Male ,musculoskeletal diseases ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Cross-sectional study ,Gastrointestinal Diseases ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Population ,Alternative medicine ,Nonprescription Drugs ,Population based ,Risk Assessment ,digestive system ,Risk Factors ,Internal medicine ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,medicine ,Humans ,Letters ,education ,skin and connective tissue diseases ,media_common ,Aged ,Netherlands ,education.field_of_study ,business.industry ,Research ,Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ,Middle Aged ,digestive system diseases ,Cross-Sectional Studies ,Non steroidal anti inflammatory ,Over-the-counter ,Female ,Family Practice ,business ,Risk assessment - Abstract
Background The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is associated with serious adverse drug events (ADEs). Aim To determine the prevalence of over-the-counter (OTC) NSAID use in the general population and in patients with a high risk of developing a serious NSAID-related ADE. Design and setting Cross-sectional study in four general practices in the Netherlands. Method Two patient samples were selected: a random sample of adults (general population sample); and adult patients with a high risk of developing a serious ADE in case of NSAID use (high-risk sample). All included patients were sent a questionnaire regarding their use of OTC NSAIDs in the 4 weeks prior to participation. Results In the general population sample, 118 of 456 (26%) invited patients completed the questionnaire. Of these, 35 (30%) had used an OTC NSAID. In the high-risk sample, 264 of 713 (37%) invited patients completed the questionnaire, and of these high-risk patients 33 (13%) had used an OTC NSAID. Over 20% of OTC NSAID users in the general population sample and over 30% in the high-risk sample had used the OTC NSAID for >7 days. OTC NSAIDs were used in a dosage exceeding the recommended daily maximum by 9% and 3% of OTC NSAID users in the general population and the high-risk sample respectively. Conclusion OTC NSAIDs are used by almost one-third of the general population. In the high-risk patients selected, one in eight patients used an OTC NSAID. Continued efforts by health authorities and healthcare professionals to inform patients of the risks of these drugs are warranted.
- Published
- 2014
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