title: The Pattern of Use of Oral NSAIDs with or without Co-prescription of Gastroprotective Agent for Arthritic Knee by Korean Practitioners.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to describe the patterns of use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for arthritic knees in clinical practice, particularly focusing on the co-prescription of gastroprotective agents for patients with risk factors for adverse gastrointestinal (GI) events.
  
  
  METHODS
  Each cross-sectional cohort was a group of outpatients visiting 111 physicians who had prescribed NSAIDs for the patients' arthritic knees for more than three consecutive months. A self-administered questionnaire was completed by each patient and physician.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine hundred and forty five patients (48%) of the whole 1,960 patients belonged to the group with a high or very high risk for NSAID-induced gastropathy determined by northern California Health Maintenance Organization guidelines. Overall, only less than half of the patients were given co-prescription of gastroprotective agents, regardless of the presence or absence of GI symptoms and irrespective of the level of risk for NSAID-induced gastropathy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The physician prescribing NSAIDs for arthritic knees should monitor any GI symptoms and the patient monitor anylevel for NSAIDinduced gastropathy, and be willing to add gastroprotective agents as necessary in order to prevent serious adverse GI events.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam, Korea.
authors.forename: Hee-Chun
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Myung Chul
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Young-Wan
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.forename: Seung Suk
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Seo
authors.forename: Kwang Won
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Ju Hong
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Choong-Hyeok
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Choi