[Prescribing patterns of rofecoxib in the primary care setting: results of a French survey].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the prescribing patterns of rofecoxib, a selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitor or coxib relative to those of conventional non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the primary care setting in France.


METHODS
A representative sample of 1010 French general practitioners participated in the study. They recorded the demographic, medical and pharmaceutical characteristics of all patients for whom they prescribed an NSAID between July 1, 2001 and June 30, 2002.


RESULTS
The prescribing patterns of rofecoxib were similar for both available dosages (12.5 and 25 mg). The proportion of patients aged 65 years and older was significantly higher among those receiving rofecoxib (48%) than among those receiving a traditional NSAID (37.3%). A history of peptic ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding was more frequent in the former (4.8%) than in the latter (2.1%). Low dose aspirin and antihypertensive agents were being taken in 6.1% and 34.8%, respectively, of the patients in the rofecoxib group versus 2.3% and 15.6%, respectively, in the conventional NSAID group. Concurrent use of a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) was marginally less frequent in the rofecoxib group (16.9%) than in the conventional NSAID group (18.6%). However, a significantly higher proportion of patients were given a PPI prior to rofecoxib therapy (10.4%) than prior to conventional NSAID therapy (3.7%).


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings show that French general practitioners are more likely to prescribe rofecoxib for patients who have risk factors of NSAID gastropathy.
Bannwarth
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B
Service de rhumatologie, groupe hospitalier Pellegrin, France. bernard.bannwarth@u-bordeaux2.fr
Logeart
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Vergult
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D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001168:Arthritis / Q000188:drug therapy; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000188:drug therapy; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005194:Family Practice; D005602:France; D006471:Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007783:Lactones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011320:Primary Health Care; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D012307:Risk Factors; D013450:Sulfones
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D007783:Lactones; D010975:Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D013450:Sulfones; C116926:rofecoxib; D001241:Aspirin