Patient’s Knowledge and Use of Oral Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in a Rheumatology Clinic

Abstract

Introduction

We evaluated the knowledge of non-steroidal antiinflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs) including their dosage, side effects,
contraindications, and drug interactions among the patients in an
outpatient rheumatology clinic.

Methods

Patients in a rheumatology clinic completed a short survey
assessing their knowledge of over-the-counter NSAIDs.

Results

The survey was provided to 400 participants and 275
(68.5%) were using over-the-counter (OTC) NSAIDs. The majority
of the participants identified their commonly used NSAID. Almost a
third were unaware of the contraindication of NSAIDs such as peptic
ulcer disease, chronic kidney disease, and hypertension. Nearly 53.9%
participants denied having any discussion of OTC medications with
their providers. Two-thirds of the respondents reported seeing only
the medication packaging for the dose determination (67.8%).

Conclusions

The gap in patient knowledge of the potential side
effects and the lack of discussion of OTC medications by the providers
may be predisposing the patients to preventable side effects from
NSAIDs.