Epidemiological and financial aspects of the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics.
The availability of many new nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has increased the total consumption during the past 20 years. The cost of different NSAID brands varies considerably probably reflecting increased research and development costs rather than a true therapeutic benefit for the patient. The current therapeutic problem in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions with NSAIDs is to make a balanced analysis between benefits, risks, and costs. Assessment of risks and benefits should focus on the large subgroup (about 40%) of elderly NSAID users over 60 years who clearly stand at increased risk of NSAID-induced gastrointestinal complications. In the treatment of osteoarthritis more trials are needed to compare NSAIDs with plain analgesics (e.g. paracetamol).
Paakkari
H
H
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Helsinki, Finland.
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000191:economics / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000517:prevention & control
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal