NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUG USE IN ATHLETES

Abstract

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are frequently prescribed to athletes for the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries. Some athletes elect to take over-the-counter (OTC) NSAIDs to aid in muscle recovery and to avoid exercise muscle soreness syndromes. PURPOSE: This study was done to determine the prevalence, frequency, duration, and reason for NSAID use by athletes. METHODS: An anonymous survey was completed by 444 athletes, including 26 recreational athletes, 106 high school athletes, 206 college athletes and 106 professional athletes. The results were analyzed using chi square tests. RESULTS: Overall 19% of all athletes had taken prescription NSAIDs in the past year for an average of 29.1 days. Professional athletes were significantly (p < 0.0005) more likely to have taken a prescription NSAID (42.5%) when compared to college (12.6%) and high school athletes (9.4%). Overall 88.5% of athletes had taken OTC NSAIDs in the past year. 44.4% had taken the OTC NSAIDs for < 1 week; 25.5% for 1–4 weeks; 8.8% for 1–3 months; 2.5% for 3–6 months; and 4.7% for over 6 months. Over 50% of the athletes took OTC NSAIDs for musculoskeletal reasons including 16.2% before exercise to prevent soreness, 21.2% after exercise to prevent soreness, and 34.9% for injury. Professional (38.7%) athletes were significantly more likely to use OTC NSAIDs before exercise to prevent soreness than were college (11.7%) and high school athletes (3.8%). Professional (26.4%) and college (25.2%) athletes were also significantly more likely to use OTC NSAIDs after exercise to prevent soreness than were high school athletes (11.3%). CONCLUSION: In a one year period, most athletes have used either a prescription or an OTC NSAID, and in many cases on both. Physicians should be aware of the high prevalence of OTC NSAID use when prescribing prescription NSAIDs, since concomitant use may significantly increase the risk of side effects.