Retrospective evaluation of adverse drug reactions induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
OBJECTIVE
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most widely prescribed drugs, and their use can be complicated by the development of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of NSAID-induced ADRs in hospitalised patients in the Clinical Divisions of the Catanzaro and Cosenza hospitals.


METHODS
We retrospectively analysed NSAID-induced ADRs after evaluating all ADRs recorded by the Clinical Divisions of the Catanzaro and Cosenza hospitals over a 10-year period, from January 1995 to December 2004.


RESULTS
NSAIDs were found to be responsible for 55.2% of the episodes of ADRs overall. Diclofenac and aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) were the drugs most frequently involved in the development of ADRs, while the skin was the body system most susceptible to NSAID-induced ADRs (43%). We determined that the drug-ADR relationship was probable in 62% of the reports; withdrawal of NSAID therapy led to a resolution of the clinical features of ADRs in 86% of episodes.


CONCLUSIONS
NSAID therapy represents a common cause of ADRs in hospitalised patients. Their use should be carefully considered, especially in the presence of polydrug therapy.
Gallelli
L
L
Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, Mater Domini University Hospital, Catanzaro, Italy. luca_gallelli@hotmail.com
Colosimo
M
M
Pirritano
D
D
Ferraro
M
M
De Fazio
S
S
Marigliano
N M
NM
De Sarro
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal