Use of antisecretory drugs among consumers of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the general population.
BACKGROUND
Overall success of prophylactic strategies against non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) complications depends on the use of gastroprotective drugs.


OBJECTIVE
We examined the use of antisecretory drugs in NSAID users in the general population of Spain.


METHODS
In 2002, a phone interview was conducted with 2500 persons representative of the general population of Spain. Using a validated questionnaire, we asked about the use of NSAID, aspirin and antisecretory drugs, and history of digestive diseases. We estimated the use of antisecretory drugs in NSAID users, according to risk factors for gastrointestinal (GI) lesions associated with NSAID.


RESULTS
In total, 425 persons [17.0% (95% CI 15.5-18.5%)] were NSAID users. Of them, 69 persons (16.2%; 95% CI 12.7-19.7%) used antisecretory drugs [proton pump inhibitor (PPI) 11.8% and H2-blocker 4.9%]. Forty-four of the 224 NSAID users (19.6%) with one risk factor for GI lesions were antisecretory drug users (PPI 16%; H2-blocker 4%), compared with 24 of the 197 NSAID users (12.7%) without risk factors (PPI 6.6%; H2-blocker 6.1%). NSAID users with risk factors for GI lesions but without upper GI (UGI) symptoms did not consume more antisecretory drugs than equivalent non-NSAID users (12.9% vs. 10.7%).


CONCLUSIONS
Current strategies to prevent GI lesions in NSAID users are not effective from a population perspective, especially in subjects without UGI symptoms.
Rey
E
E
Digestive Disease Service, Hospital Clinico San Carlos, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain. ereydiaz-rubio@sepd.es
Elola-Olaso
C Morena
CM
Rodríguez-Artalejo
F
F
Locke
G R
GR
Diaz-Rubio
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000863:Antacids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004066:Digestive System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D017494:Proton Pumps / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors
D000863:Antacids; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D017494:Proton Pumps