title: Longterm drug therapy for rheumatoid arthritis in seven rheumatology private practices: I. Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs.
abstract: The probability of continuation of a particular nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) over 5 years was estimated for 1,775 courses taken by 532 patients with rheumatoid arthritis treated in 7 rheumatology private practices. Similar results were seen for 15 different NSAID--48% of courses were continued at 12 months, 36% at 24 months, and 20% at 60 months. Only acetylated salicylates, other than plain aspirin, were continued significantly longer than any of the other NSAID. The probability of continuation of plain aspirin was similar to other NSAID, including nonacetylated salicylates and nonsalicylate NSAID. The first NSAID taken by an individual patient was continued only marginally longer than the 4th NSAID taken by the same patient. While most NSAID courses were not continued for long periods, 20% were continued for longer than 5 years, suggesting effective longterm results in this minority of courses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pincus
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Marcum
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Callahan
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Barber
authors.forename: W F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Barth
authors.forename: G V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Huston
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Polk
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Whelton
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007213:Indomethacin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007660:Ketoprofen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008469:Meclofenamic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D011331:Private Practice; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D008469:Meclofenamic Acid; D007660:Ketoprofen; D001241:Aspirin; D007213:Indomethacin