Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and potential risks in a convenience sample of general practitioners.
BACKGROUND
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. They remain widely prescribed.


OBJECTIVE
To describe current prescribing of non-COX-2 inhibitor NSAIDs.


METHODS
Audit of a convenience sample of general practitioners. Individual and group results were fed back to individual GPs.


RESULTS
Seventy-one GPs submitted 790 patients records. A wide range of NSAIDs was used. NSAIDs with a higher risk of gastrointestinal side effects were used in 30% of patients over 70 years. The most common risk factors for their use were age, cardiovascular disease and concomitant ACE inhibitor prescribing. Over 85% of participating doctors stated that feedback of these data would change their future use of NSAIDs.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients are often exposed to the potential risks of NSAIDs.
Cutts
Christopher
C
Queensland Rural Medical Support Agency. christopher@qrmsa.com.au
LaCaze
Adam
A
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001315:Australia; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D008485:Medical Audit; D009026:Mortality; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000209:etiology; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D019035:Rural Health Services
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal