Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs Users Research Articles

Charting the Knowledge and Patterns of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Usage in Hail Population, Saudi Arabia: Insights into the Adverse Effect Profile.

(1) Background: It is crucial to provide safe and knowledgeable healthcare practices because no research has been performed on the knowledge and usage patterns of NSAIDs among the Hail population. (2) Method: Structured questionnaires were utilized to gather data from 399 individuals in Hail, Saudi Arabia, for the cross-sectional analysis. The study assessed participants' knowledge regarding NSAIDs, patterns of use, reasons for use, and awareness of potential side effects. (3) Results: In the study, the gender distribution indicated that 170 participants (42.61%) were male, whereas 229 (57.39%) were female. Gender, occupation, and marital status showed non-significant associations except for menstrual cycle and joint pain, where marital status displayed significant associations (p > 0.001). Education and monthly income exhibited non-significant associations for all these reasons. The regression analysis demonstrated that gender played a significant role, with females having higher odds of knowledge (AOR = 1.75, 95% CI 1.10-2.88) than males. Meanwhile, >50% of the participants had knowledge of adverse events related to the use of NSAIDs, whereas 25% had no knowledge. Moreover, 59 (25.76%) participants reported discomfort with the use of NSAIDs. In addition, 50% and >75% of respondents believed that NSAIDs could induce peptic ulcers and kidney damage, respectively. (4) Conclusions: This study shed light on the knowledge and patterns of NSAIDs use in the population of Hail, Saudi Arabia. Healthcare providers and policymakers should consider these insights to develop targeted educational initiatives and healthcare interventions to promote safe and informed NSAID utilization in the region.

Regular Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug Use Increases Stress Fracture Risk in the General Population: A Retrospective Case-Control Study.

Previous studies have shown that the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is associated with increased stress fracture risk. This phenomenon has been studied predominantly in high-activity individuals, so data regarding the general population are limited despite the substantial economic and resource burden of stress fracture injuries within the general US population. Furthermore, our preclinical studies demonstrate that regular use of NSAIDs also diminishes the intrinsic ability of bone to resist fracture. To determine the association of regular NSAID use with stress fractures in the general population, we surveyed subjects presenting with either stress fracture or uncomplicated ankle sprain to assess their use of NSAIDs over the three months before their injury. We hypothesized that subjects with stress fractures would have increased regular NSAID usage as compared to controls. Subjects diagnosed with a stress fracture (n = 56) and subjects with uncomplicated ankle sprains (n = 51; control) were surveyed about their NSAID use at the time of their diagnosis and in the previous three months using a questionnaire based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Subjects were surveyed in person on the day of their injury diagnosis or by phone within 30 days of their diagnosis. Fisher's exact test was used to determine significant differences in NSAID usage between stress fracture and control subjects. Subjects diagnosed with stress fractures had a statistically significant increase in both current use (p=0.03) and regular use (p=0.04) of ibuprofen/naproxen/celecoxib as compared to control subjects. There were no significant differences in the use of aspirin, acetaminophen, or prescription medications containing acetaminophen between groups. Consistent with previous clinical reports, we observed a strong correlation between regular ibuprofen/naproxen/celecoxib use and stress fracture incidence in the general population. These results indicate that patients at high risk of stress fracture should avoid regular use of ibuprofen, naproxen, or celecoxib.

Acute medications' intake for migraine: a one-year report in patients undergoing first evaluation at a third level Italian headache center.

Headache disorders, particularly primary headaches like migraine and tension-type headache, still remain underdiagnosed and undertreated despite their high prevalence and significant impact on quality of life. In recent years, several specific medications targeting key pathways in the pathophysiology of migraine have been developed. Despite this advancement, numerous studies indicate that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and analgesics remain the most commonly used drugs. This study focused on the use of NSAIDs and simple analgesics as acute treatments for migraine among patients at a tertiary headache center. A retrospective observational study was conducted at the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico throughout 2022. Data were collected on the type and frequency of headaches, the usage and dosage of NSAIDs and other medications, and changes in their use at follow-up visits. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the efficacy and determinants of NSAID consumption and headache frequency changes. Two hundred and eightythree patients diagnosed with migraine undergoing their first examination at our center were enrolled. Initially, 58.7% of patients used NSAIDs or simple analgesics, which decreased to 46.6% 3 months after, while triptan use increased from 65.1 to 72.8%. Changes in prophylactic therapies were significantly associated with a decrease in NSAID intake (W = 834.000, p = 0.004) and in headache frequency (W = 5960.5, p = 0.003). Specifically, the addition of topiramate or amitriptyline was associated with a reduction in NSAID use and headache frequency. Even pain freedom after the intake of NSAIDs improved from 55.2 to 79.4% of cases at follow-up. The study highlights the importance of appropriate diagnosis and tailored treatment strategies in the management of primary headaches. It underscores the need for specialized care to enhance treatment efficacy and patient outcomes, demonstrating that adjustments in prophylactic therapy can significantly reduce NSAID intake and improve headache care. This reinforces the role of tertiary headache centers in providing specialized care that can adapt treatments to individual patient needs and improve overall headache management.

Safety of Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs as Part of Enhanced Recovery After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is an effective bariatric surgery option for managing extreme obesity in most patients. While non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) promise postoperative pain management after bariatric surgeries, their safety in LSG remains unexplored. In this systematic review, we studied the safety of NSAIDs following LSG reported by six studies involving 588 patients. Our study demonstrated that NSAIDs effectively alleviated the postoperative pain after LSG without major safety concerns. Most reported (>20% incidence) adverse events included postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV, 21%). For patients undergoing LSG, NSAIDs offer a valuable option for pain management and improved care, potentially reducing opioid consumption. However, additional research is required to optimize NSAID usage and ensure safety, especially concerning renal and gastrointestinal issues.

Associations between the use of common nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, genetic susceptibility and dementia in participants with chronic pain: A prospective study based on 194,758 participants from the UK Biobank

ObjectiveTo investigate the potential relationship between common nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), genetic susceptibility and all-cause dementia (ACD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and vascular dementia (VD) among individuals experiencing chronic pain. MethodsThis study was based on 194,758 chronic pain participants form UK biobank with a median follow-up of 13.7 years. Participants were categorized into different NSAIDs painkiller regimen groups: No NSAIDs group, Aspirin group, Ibuprofen group, Paracetamol group, and 2–3 NSAIDs group. Cox proportional risk models were used to examine the correlation between regular NSAIDs usage and the risk of ACD, AD, and VD. In addition, we further performed subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses. Results1) Compared to the No NSAIDs group, the aspirin group (HR = 1.12, 95% CI:1.01–1.24, P < 0.05), the paracetamol group (HR = 1.15, 95% CI:1.05–1.27, P < 0.01), and the 2–3 NSAIDs group (HR = 1.2, 95% CI:1.08–1.33, P < 0.05) showed a higher risk of ACD. Furthermore, the 2–3 NSAIDs group was also associated with a higher risk of VD (HR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.08–1.33, P < 0.05). 2) At high dementia GRS participants with chronic pain, the paracetamol group (HR = 1.2, 95% CI: 1.03–1.43, P < 0.05) and the NSAIDs group (HR = 1.3, 95% CI: 1.07–1.59, P < 0.05) were associated with a higher risk of ACD compared to the no painkiller group. 3) There was no significant association between ibuprofen use and higher risk of dementia. ConclusionIn individuals with chronic pain, the use of aspirin and paracetamol was associated with a higher risk of ACD, whereas the use of ibuprofen was not significantly associated with a higher risk of ACD.

Venous thromboembolism in users of hormonal contraception and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: a nationwide cohort study

Abstract Objective To study the influence of concomitant use of hormonal contraception and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on the risk of venous thromboembolism. Design: Nationwide cohort study. Setting: Denmark through national registries. Participants: All 15-49-year-old women living in Denmark between the years 1996-2017 with no medical history of any venous or arterial thrombotic event, cancer, thrombophilia, hysterectomy, bilateral oophorectomy, sterilisation, or infertility treatment. Main outcome measure: A first-time discharge diagnosis of lower-limb deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. Results Among 2.0 million women followed for 21.0 million person-years, 8710 venous thromboembolic events occurred. Compared to non-use of NSAIDs, use of NSAIDs was associated with an adjusted incidence rate ratio of venous thromboembolism of 8.1 (95% confidence interval (CI) 6.9 to 9.6) in women not using hormonal contraception, 12.1 (10.6 to 13.9) in women using high-risk hormonal contraception, 8.7 (6.5 to 11.6) in users of medium-risk hormonal contraception, and 5.1 (2.9 to 9.1) with low/no-risk hormonal contraception. Compared to non-use of NSAIDs, the number of extra venous thromboembolic events per 100,000 one-week NSAID treatments was 4 in women not using hormonal contraception, 18 in women using high-risk hormonal contraception, 9 in users of medium-risk hormonal contraception, and 2 in women using low/no-risk hormonal contraception. Conclusions NSAID use was positively associated with the development of venous thromboembolism. The association was stronger in women concomitantly using high-risk hormonal contraceptives and weaker in women using low/no-risk hormonal contraception. Women requiring both hormonal contraception and regular use of NSAIDs should be advised accordingly.

Relationship between the pain severity, use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and blood pressure in elective large joint arthroplasty of the lower extremities

To evaluate the changes in blood pressure (BP), the severity of pain syndrome and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) use patterns in patients hospitalized for elective arthroplasty of large joints of the lower extremities during the postoperative period. This study included 374 patients. In all patients, medical history, antihypertensive therapy and history of NSAIDs usage were collected, BP was measured, and the severity of pain was assessed via a 10-point scale before surgery, as well as 1 and 3 months after arthroplasty. The study included 132 (35.3%) males and 242 (64.7%) females. Among these, 289 (77.3%) patients had hypertension [grade 1 - 35 patients, grade 2 - 136 patients, grade 3 - 118 (25.0%) patients]; 280 (74.9%) patients were taking NSAIDs (121 - daily, 135 - 2-3 times per week). The median pain severity before surgery was 8 points [7; 9], 1 month after surgery - 2 points [1; 4], 3 months after surgery - 1 point [0; 3]. At 1 month after arthroplasty, 23 (7.9%) patients reported a decrease in BP. In 17 (5.9%) patients, correction of previously prescribed antihypertensive therapy with a decrease in drug doses was required. At 1 month after arthroplasty, 256 patients discontinued NSAIDs. The analysis of the relationship between the severity of pain, NSAIDs use and the level of BP revealed a significant effect of pain syndrome (p<0.0001) and the use of NSAIDs (p=0.014). In the population of patients with elective arthroplasty of large joints of the lower extremities, a significant incidence of hypertension and a high prevalence of NSAIDs use are noted. During the postoperative period, a significant trend towards a decrease in the severity of pain was found, as well as the relationship of pain and NSAIDs with a decrease in BP.

Percutaneous Cryoablation under Conscious Sedation: A Safe, Effective and Painless Option for the Treatment of Pediatric Osteoid Osteoma.

Percutaneous CT-guided cryoablation is an emerging technique for treating bone tumors. However, experience with using this procedure for osteoid osteomas in pediatric patients remains limited. Our study aims to assess its technical feasibility, clinical efficacy, and safety in children treated under conscious anesthesia. We conducted a retrospective study of consecutive pediatric patients who underwent CT-guided percutaneous cryoablation for osteoid osteomas at our institution between September 2017 and March 2021. All patients received conscious anesthesia. Data on peri-procedural VAS scores, post-procedural VAS scores, imaging findings, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) usage rates were collected for each patient. Technical success was defined as proper cryoprobe placement at the nidus center, while clinical success referred to pain relief without NSAID use. Intra- and post-operative complications were also evaluated. Nine patients underwent CT-guided percutaneous cryoablation for osteoid osteomas under conscious sedation, with a 100% overall success rate with low peri-procedural and median VAS scores (p < 0.01). No complications were observed during or after the procedure. CT-guided percutaneous cryoablation of pediatric osteoid osteomas is an effective and safe minimally invasive procedure feasible under conscious anesthesia, holding promise as a valuable treatment option.

No Effect of NSAID Use on Efficacy of Zoledronate: A Post-Hoc Analysis of a Randomized Trial in Osteopenic Older Women.

Bisphosphonates are widely used for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are also widely used among the older population group at high risk of fractures. NSAIDs have been shown to impact on bone turnover, and a recent re-analysis of a clinical trial of clodronate found that NSAID use at baseline abrogated any effect of clodronate on either bone density (BMD) or fracture risk. To determine whether NSAIDs influence the efficacy of other bisphosphonates, we have re-analyzed our 6-year randomized controlled trial of zoledronate in 2000 osteopenic postmenopausal women. NSAID use was reported at baseline in 38% of the cohort and anytime use was reported by 65%. The evolution of the zoledronate effects on BMD were almost identical whether or not women were using NSAIDs at baseline, and were significant in both sub-groups at all BMD sites (P < 0.0001). The significant reduction in the risk of fracture in those allocated to zoledronate (P < 0.0001) showed no interaction with baseline use of NSAIDs (P = 0.33) nor with NSAID use at any time during the study (P = 0.28). The odds of fracture were significantly reduced in both NSAID users and non-users. We conclude that the present analysis provides no support for the suggestion that NSAIDs interfere with the efficacy of potent bisphosphonates in terms of their effects on bone density or fracture.

Etiological Profile of Dyspepsia in Difficult-to-reach Tribal Population of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract Background: Dyspepsia exhibits a diverse range of underlying causes, with functional dyspepsia (FD) surpassing organic etiologies in prevalence. However, there exists a noticeable absence of prior research delineating the etiological spectrum of dyspepsia among the tribal regions of Himachal Pradesh (HP). The present study was carried out to determine the etiological profile of dyspepsia within this specific population. Materials and Methods: Conducted as a cross-sectional observational study centered around an endoscopy health camp, this investigation took place at the community health center in Kaza – a pivotal administrative hub in the remote Spiti Valley of the Lahaul and Spiti tribal district in HP. The study encompassed consecutive patients above 18 years of age presenting with gastrointestinal complaints. Those predominantly reporting dyspepsia were selected and subsequently underwent thorough endoscopic examination. Data analysis incorporated factors such as age, gender, history of smoking, alcohol consumption, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug usage, and endoscopic findings. Results: Encompassing a total of 187 patients with an average age of 48.5 ± 13.4, the study found that endoscopy yielded normal results in 59.9% of cases (categorized as FD), whereas 40.1% displayed abnormal findings (categorized as organic dyspepsia). Among the latter, the most prevalent organic lesions were peptic ulcer disease (PUD) (62.7%) and erosive esophagitis (22.7%). Furthermore, gastric malignancy was detected in 4% of the cases. Conclusion: The primary organic causes of dyspepsia within the tribal areas of HP appear to be dominated by PUDs, closely followed by erosive esophagitis. Gastric malignancy, although less frequent, was identified in approximately 4% of the dyspeptic cases studied.

Impact of proton pump inhibitors on the risk of small bowelor colorectal bleeding: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Several studies have suggested that the mucosal protective effects of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) do not extend beyond the duodenum; however, PPIs may cause lower gastrointestinal (LGI) injury, although these relationships have not yet been fully elucidated. We searched all the relevant studies published until September 2022 that examined the risk of PPIs for LGI bleeding. We performed a meta-analysis of the risk of LGI bleeding (small bowel (SB) or colorectal bleeding) between PPI users and non-users. A subgroup analysis of patients consuming aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) was also performed. Twelve studies with 341,063 participants were included in this meta-analysis. The use of PPIs was associated with the risk of LGI bleeding (odds ratio [OR] [95% confidence interval [CI]]=1.42 [1.16-1.73]; hazard ratio [HR] [95% CI]=3.23 [1.56-6.71]). An association between PPI use and the risk of LGI bleeding was also identified in the subgroup of aspirin or NSAID users (OR [95% CI]=1.64 [1.49-1.80]; HR [95% CI]=6.55 [2.01-21.33]). In the bleeding site-specific analyses, the risk of SB bleeding was associated with PPI use (OR [95% CI]=1.54 [1.30-1.84]). PPI use was associated with an increased risk of LGI bleeding, particularly SB bleeding. This association was particularly pronounced among aspirin and NSAID users. Inappropriate PPI prescriptions should be avoided in patients with LGI bleeding and a low risk of upper gastrointestinal disease.

Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and poor olfaction in women.

It is unclear whether regular use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is associated with poor olfaction in older adults. We selected 4020 participants, aged 50 to 79years in 2018, from 36,492 eligible participants in the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Sister Study, according to their self-reported olfaction status. Of these, 3406 women completed the 12-item Brief Smell Identification Test. We defined poor olfaction as a test score ≤9 in the primary analysis. We then estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) from weighted logistic models, accounting for the study design, missing exposures/outcomes, and covariates. Overall, NSAID use was not associated with poor olfaction. However, we found evidence for potential multiplicative interactions. Specifically, the OR comparing regular versus never use of aspirin was 1.8 (95% CI, 1.1-3.2) among women who had not regularly used nonaspirin NSAIDs, while the corresponding OR was 0.8 (95% CI, 0.5-1.2) among nonaspirin NSAID users (P for interaction=0.016). Similar results were seen for ibuprofen alone versus ibuprofen with other NSAID use (P for interaction=0.010). Among women using either drug alone, associations with poor olfaction increased with increasing duration and cumulative dose. Post hoc analyses showed that the interactions could not be readily explained by potential biases. Other NSAIDs were not associated with olfaction. Long-term regular use of aspirin or ibuprofen was associated with poor olfaction among women who never regularly used other types of NSAIDs. These preliminary findings warrant independent confirmation.

Pattern of use and awareness of side-effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the Jordanian population

Background: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly utilized to reduce pain, inflammation, and fever. This study aimed to assess patterns of use and awareness of NSAID-related side-effects in an adult Jordanian. And the associations with sociodemographic factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study among a representative sample of 604 adults >18 years. A validated, self-administered questionnaire was used to collect basic sociodemographic data from the participants, as well as information regarding NSAID use. Results: Most respondents were NSAID users (65.7%), female (53.4%) and under 50 years of age (74.5%). Overall, 42.6% had been prescribed NSAIDs by a physician. Male gender and smoking were negatively correlated with NSAIDs use (multivariable odds ratio [OR]: 0.5, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.4–0.8, p = 0.001 and OR: 0.6, 95% CI 0.4–0.8, p = 0.003). In contrast, the Ministry of Health Insurance was associated with NSAIDs use with OR: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.1–2.6, p = 0.03. Overall, 65.1% were aware of kidney NSAID-related side-effects and 22.4% were aware of the increased risk of asthma and allergy. Conclusion: Despite the high frequency of NSAID use in the Jordanian general population, there is limited knowledge of their side-effects as well as drug interactions. This is cause for concern, particularly as many participants reported having been prescribed NSAIDs by physicians without adequate patient safety education.

Cardiovascular risks of continuing vs. initiating NSAIDs after first-time myocardial infarction or heart failure: a nationwide cohort study.

It is unknown whether the cardiovascular risks associated with the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) shortly after first-time myocardial infarction (MI) or heart failure (HF) differ between patients continuing and initiating use. Using nationwide health registries, we conducted a cohort study of all patients with first-time MI or HF during 1996-2018 (n=273 682). NSAID users (n=97 966) were categorized as continuing (17%) and initiating (83%) users according to prescription fillings<60 days before index diagnosis. The primary outcome was a composite of new MI, HF admission, and all-cause death. Follow-up started 30 days after the index discharge date. We used Cox regression to compute hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) comparing NSAID users vs. non-users. The most commonly filled NSAIDs were ibuprofen (50%), diclofenac (20%), etodolac (8.5%), and naproxen (4.3%). The composite outcome HR of 1.25 (CI: 1.23-1.27) was driven by initiators (HR=1.39, 1.36-1.41) and not continuing users (HR=1.03, 1.00-1.07). The lack of association among continuing users was also observed for individual NSAIDs (ibuprofen and naproxen), except diclofenac (HR=1.11, 95% CI: 1.05-1.18). Among initiators, the HR was 1.63 (CI: 1.57-1.69) for diclofenac, 1.31 (CI: 1.27-1.35) for ibuprofen, and 1.19 (CI: 1.08-1.31) for naproxen. The results were consistent for both MI and HF patients, the individual components of the composite outcome, and various sensitivity analyses. NSAID initiators were more susceptible to adverse cardiovascular outcomes after first-time MI or HF than continuing users.

Association of oral montelukast with reduced odds of developing exudative age-related macular degeneration.

This study was conducted to evaluate the association of oral montelukast, selective antagonism for cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1, with reduced odds of exudative age-related macular degeneration (exAMD) development. This case-control study was conducted using Institutional Cohort Finder tool, and included 1913 patients with exAMD (ICD: H35.32 and 362.52) and 1913 age- and gender-matched control subjects without exAMD. Sub-analysis among 1913 exAMD and 324 non-exudative AMD was also conducted. A total of 47 (2.5%) exAMD cases were identified to have a history of oral montelukast use prior to exAMD diagnosis, compared to 84 (4.4%) controls. Montelukast usage was significantly associated with reduced odds of exAMD in the multivariable analysis (adjusted OR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.31 - 0.80) as well as NSAID usage (adjusted OR: 0.69). Caucasian race, history of smoking, non-exudative macular degeneration in either eye were also found to have significant relationship with increased odds of exAMD. In the sub-analysis, montelukast usage showed significant association with reduced odds of developing exAMD from non-exudative AMD (adjusted OR: 0.53 95% CI: 0.29 - 0.97) as well as the presence of atopic disease (adjusted OR: 0.60). The study results suggested that oral montelukast is linked to reduced odds of exAMD development.

Identifying Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) Users Among People with Osteoarthritis Through Administrative and Clinician-Reported Data - A Validation Study of 116,162 Patients.

(i) To report the prevalence of participants to a first-line intervention for OA in Sweden using over-the-counter (OTC) and/or prescribed NSAIDs; (ii) To estimate the accuracy of dispensed prescriptions of NSAIDs recorded in a Swedish health-care register to capture the use of NSAID considering clinician-report as reference standard. Register-based study. We used data from OA individuals who participated in the Swedish first-line intervention recorded in the Swedish Osteoarthritis Register (SOAR). SOAR includes clinician-reported use of NSAIDs in the three months preceding the intervention. We used the Prescribed Drug Register to retrieve data on NSAID prescriptions dispensed in the same period. We estimated the prevalence of OTC users (individuals with clinicians-reported use of NSAID but no prescription dispensed), prescription users (individuals with clinicians-reported use of NSAID and a prescription dispensed) and non-users (neither of the previous). We calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of dispensed prescriptions of NSAIDs vs clinician-report. We included 116,162 individuals (mean age [Standard Deviation]: 66 [9.6] years, 79% women, 77% knee OA). Overall, 24.7% (95% Confidence Intervals [CI] 24.5%; 25.0%) used OTC NSAIDs only, 18.2% (18.0%; 18.5%) used prescribed NSAIDs, 6.6% (6-4%; 6.7%) reported not using NSAIDs while having an NSAID prescription dispensed. Of the 49,913 individuals with clinician-reported use of NSAIDs, 21,190 had a prescription dispensed (sensitivity: 42.5% [95% CI 42.0%, 42.9%]; positive predictive value: 73.5% [73.0%, 74.0%]). Of the 66,249 individuals reporting not using NSAIDs, 58,617 did not have a prescription dispensed (specificity: 88.5% [88.2%, 88.7%]; negative predictive value: 67.1% [66.8%, 67.4%]). Overall, 24.7% of participants in a first-line intervention for OA used OTC NSAIDs only while 18.2% used prescribed NSAIDs. Dispensed prescriptions of NSAIDs have high specificity but low sensitivity and can correctly identify about 70% of both the non-users and users in this population.

Use of Antidepressants and the Risk of Upper Gastrointestinal Tract Bleeding: A Case-control Study

PurposeTo investigate the association between the use of antidepressants and the risk of upper gastrointestinal tract bleeding (UGIB). MethodsA Case-control study was conducted in a Brazilian hospital complex. Cases were defined as patients with a diagnosis of UGIB and controls as patients admitted for reasons unrelated to gastrointestinal bleeding, gastric concerns, or complications associated with low-dose aspirin (LDA) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) use. Sociodemographic and clinical data, comorbidities, drug therapy in use (long-term use and self-medication), and lifestyle habits were recorded through face-to-face interviews. Two groups were defined: use of antidepressants in general and use of antidepressants according to their affinity for serotonin transporters. The presence of synergism between the concomitant use of antidepressants and LDA or NSAIDs on the risk of UGIB was also explored. FindingsA total of 906 participants were recruited (200 in the case group and 706 in the control group). The use of antidepressants was not associated with the risk of UGIB (odds ratio [OR] = 1.503; 95% CI, 0.78–2.88) or the use of antidepressants with high affinity for serotonin receptors (OR = 1.983; 95% CI, 0.81–4.85). An increased risk of UGIB was observed in concomitant users of antidepressants and LDA (OR = 5.489; 95% CI, 1.60–18.81) or NSAIDs (OR = 18.286; 95% CI, 3.18–105.29). Despite the lack of significance, the use of antidepressants appears to be a positive modifier of UGIB risk in LDA and NSAID users. ImplicationsThese findings indicate an increased risk of UGIB in concomitant users of antidepressants and LDA or NSAIDs, suggesting the need to monitor antidepressant users, especially those most likely to develop UGIB. In addition, further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to confirm these findings.

Association between serum uric acid concentration and radiographic axial spondylarthritis: a cross-sectional study of 202 patients.

Association between serum uric acid concentration and radiographic axial spondylarthritis: a cross-sectional study of 202 patients.

Identification of some novel amide conjugates as potent and gastric sparing anti-inflammatory agents: In vitro, in vivo, in silico studies and drug safety evaluation

Today, usage of NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) is very common. However, it has been proven by many studies that NSAIDs with free carboxylic acid group damage the GI (gastrointestinal) system. Our aim was to mask the acidic groups of NSAIDs to prevent or reduce their side effects while preserving their pharmacological effects. In this study, new amide derivatives of known NSAIDs, compounds 11–20, were synthesized to investigate their analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects using in vivo models. While compound 11 showed the most remarkable anti-inflammatory activity by 60.9% inhibition value at 200 mg/kg dose, compounds 11, 12, 15 and 18 had almost the same analgesic activity to that of acetylsalicylic acid (100 mg/kg) and flurbiprofen (100 mg/kg). In addition, all test compounds used at high dose (200 mg/kg, p.o) did not show any acute toxicity. COX-1 and COX-2 inhibition properties of all compounds were measured by biochemical methods and the interaction of the most active compounds with COX enzymes is elucidated by computer-assisted virtual screening methods. It was determined by in vitro enzyme inhibition studies that compound 11 and 13, synthesized from selective COX-1 inhibitors dexketoprofen and flurbiprofen, are selective COX-2 inhibitors. Moreover, compounds 11–13 were found to be non-mutagenic according to the mutagenicity assay using Salmonella TA98 and TA100 strains with and without metabolic activation. Finally, the prediction of ADMET profile and drug-likeness properties of compounds 11–20 were examined and the obtained results were evaluated.

Proton pump inhibitors increase the risk of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug-related small bowel injury: A Systematic Review with Meta-analysis.

Conflicting results exist on the association between proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-related small bowel damage. Aims: To determine whether PPIs increased the risk of NSAID-related small bowel damage by meta-analysis. Methods: A systematic electronic search in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science was conducted from the time the database was created until 31 March 2022 for studies reporting associations between PPI use and outcomes, including the endoscopy-verified prevalence of small bowel injury, mean number of small bowel injuries per patient, change in hemoglobin level, and risk of small bowel bleeding in subjects taking NSAIDs. Meta-analytical calculations for odds ratio (OR) and mean difference (MD) were performed with the random-effects model and interpreted with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Fourteen studies comprising 1996 subjects were included. Pooled analysis demonstrated that concomitant use of PPIs significantly increased the prevalence and number of endoscopy-verified small bowel injuries (prevalence: OR=3.00; 95% CI: 1.74-5.16; number: MD=2.30; 95% CI: 0.61-3.99) and decreased hemoglobin levels (MD=-0.50 g/dL; 95% CI: -0.88 to -0.12) in NSAID users but did not change the risk of small bowel bleeding (OR=1.24; 95% CI: 0.80-1.92). Subgroup analysis demonstrated that PPIs significantly increased the prevalence of small bowel injury in subjects taking nonselective NSAIDs (OR=7.05; 95% CI: 4.70-10.59, 4 studies, I2=0) and COX-2 inhibitors (OR=4.00; 95% CI: 1.18-13.60, 1 study, no calculated I2) when compared to COX-2 inhibitors alone.Conclusion: PPIs increased the risk of NSAID-related small bowel damage, and the clinical significance of higher prevalence of small bowel injuries should be studied in future.