Abstract
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) belong to the most widely prescribed and used pharmacological agents worldwide. Data gathered in the last decade show increased incidence of thrombotic events during NSAID administration. Analysis of NSAID usage and assessment of risk for development of cardiovascular adverse effects is needed for improving patient safety. For limiting the impact of adverse effects on the health of patients, NSAID users should be informed about the possible adverse effects and their symptoms to ensure early detection and treatment discontinuation. In the presented study, we retrospectively analyzed the administration of NSAIDs in a group of patients (n=428) in need of analgesic treatment hospitalized at a department of internal medicine. Factors increasing the risk for cardiovascular adverse effects were also investigated. A separate questionnaire study was conducted to gather information concerning the knowledge of hospitalized NSAID users (n=251) about adverse effects of the medication used. For purpose of comparison, we conducted a similar study in a group of 234 random respondents from a shopping center. Data were evaluated using descriptive statistics, Student′s t-test and chi-squared test. Our results suggest that the majority of patients treated with NSAIDs have factors indicating increased risk of development of adverse effects, most commonly arterial hypertension (58.2% of patients). The results of our questionnaire study show limited knowledge of NSAID users about the risk of the therapy. Nearly half of the respondents were unaware of any adverse effects. We consider as alarming that only a limited number of respondents were informed by their physician or pharmacist about the possible risks of treatment. In conclusion, we found that hospitalized NSAID users often have a history of diseases predisposing to the development of cardiovascular adverse effects of NSAIDs. Despite this, their knowledge about the risk of treatment is insufficient.
Highlights
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are drugs with high potential for causing drug-induced damage
We retrospectively analyzed the administration of NSAIDs in a group of patients (n=428) in need of analgesic treatment hospitalized at a department of internal medicine
We retrospectively analyzed the administration of NSAIDs in a group of patients in need of analgesic treatment, who were hospitalized at a department of internal medicine
Summary
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are drugs with high potential for causing drug-induced damage. They are among the most commonly prescribed and used drugs worldwide. For improved safety of NSAID treatment it is necessary: a) to analyze the use of NSAIDs in patients and to evaluate the risk of AEs and b) to determine and improve the level of user awareness of the potential risks of therapy. We retrospectively analyzed the administration of NSAIDs in a group of patients in need of analgesic treatment, who were hospitalized at a department of internal medicine. A separate questionnaire study was conducted to gather information concerning the knowledge of hospitalized NSAID users about adverse effects of the medication used
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