TY - JOUR
T1 - What do patients in rheumatologic care know about the risks of NSAIDs?
AU - Ornbjerg, Lykke Midtbøll
AU - Andersen, Henning B
AU - Kryger, Peter
AU - Cleal, Bryan
AU - Hetland, Merete Lund
PY - 2008
Y1 - 2008
N2 - OBJECTIVES: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used, but have potentially serious adverse effects. We investigated the knowledge of patients with inflammatory arthritis with regards to risks associated with the combination of prescribed and over-the-counter (OTC) NSAIDs, of differences in side effects between acetaminophen and NSAIDs, and from which sources patients received information about side effects. METHODS: Data from 170 questionnaires provided to consecutive patients with inflammatory arthritis at a rheumatologic outpatient clinic were collected through questionnaires (response rate 75%). RESULTS: Eighty-seven percent of patients had taken prescribed NSAIDs or OTC analgesics during the previous 2 weeks, 36% being NSAIDs, and 36% used analgesics regularly. Fifty-four percent would increase the dose of drugs in a bad period, and they were more likely to over-use the OTC drugs than the prescribed drugs (P = 0.002, Mann-Whitney).Factors recognized to increase the risk of side effects were: higher dose (81% of patients), long-term treatment (68%), previous side effects (57%), combination of NSAIDs (49%), and old age (31%). Twenty-three percent assumed that acetaminophen increased the risk of side effects.Information was obtained from package inserts (84%), the rheumatologist (80%), and the general practitioner (50%). They had greatest confidence in the rheumatologist, package leaflets, and the general practitioner. CONCLUSION: Incomplete knowledge and misconceptions of some patients suggests that more information on risk factors and side effects to NSAID treatment is needed to improve patient safety. This is especially true about the combination of prescribed and OTC drugs.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used, but have potentially serious adverse effects. We investigated the knowledge of patients with inflammatory arthritis with regards to risks associated with the combination of prescribed and over-the-counter (OTC) NSAIDs, of differences in side effects between acetaminophen and NSAIDs, and from which sources patients received information about side effects. METHODS: Data from 170 questionnaires provided to consecutive patients with inflammatory arthritis at a rheumatologic outpatient clinic were collected through questionnaires (response rate 75%). RESULTS: Eighty-seven percent of patients had taken prescribed NSAIDs or OTC analgesics during the previous 2 weeks, 36% being NSAIDs, and 36% used analgesics regularly. Fifty-four percent would increase the dose of drugs in a bad period, and they were more likely to over-use the OTC drugs than the prescribed drugs (P = 0.002, Mann-Whitney).Factors recognized to increase the risk of side effects were: higher dose (81% of patients), long-term treatment (68%), previous side effects (57%), combination of NSAIDs (49%), and old age (31%). Twenty-three percent assumed that acetaminophen increased the risk of side effects.Information was obtained from package inserts (84%), the rheumatologist (80%), and the general practitioner (50%). They had greatest confidence in the rheumatologist, package leaflets, and the general practitioner. CONCLUSION: Incomplete knowledge and misconceptions of some patients suggests that more information on risk factors and side effects to NSAID treatment is needed to improve patient safety. This is especially true about the combination of prescribed and OTC drugs.
KW - Adult
KW - Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
KW - Arthritis, Rheumatoid
KW - Cohort Studies
KW - Denmark
KW - Drug Therapy, Combination
KW - Female
KW - Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
KW - Humans
KW - Male
KW - Middle Aged
KW - Nonprescription Drugs
KW - Osteoarthritis
KW - Outpatient Clinics, Hospital
KW - Questionnaires
KW - Self Care
KW - Self Medication
U2 - 10.1097/RHU.0b013e31816b1e8e
DO - 10.1097/RHU.0b013e31816b1e8e
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 18391673
SN - 1076-1608
VL - 14
SP - 69
EP - 73
JO - Journal of Clinical Rheumatology
JF - Journal of Clinical Rheumatology
IS - 2
ER -