title: [Use of topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents in an urban health center. Comparison with the current evidence].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the prescribing of topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in an urban health center (Zaragoza, Spain).
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on subjects who belonged to an urban center and were studied during the year 2010. The sample size with a confidence level of 95%, was calculated, a total of 843 prescriptions were analyzed. The sample was single random, and 150 cases were selected. The prevalence and confidence intervals were calculated. The statistical package STATA 9.1 was used for the calculations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most used drug was diclofenac, in 27.33% (95% CI: 20.65-34.88). NSAIDs were most used in females. In 18% of the cases the area of application was the knee, followed by the 15% in the lower back area (95% CI: 10,22-21,78). There were no adverse reactions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Frequent use is made of topical NSAIDs in a basic health area. Current recommendations support the use in the knee and in the hand, but not in the back, where its use is common. The use of topical NSAIDs decreases side effects and drug interactions, therefore their use is recommended in patients on multiple drug therapy and in the elderly.
authors.affiliation: Fisioterapia, Medicina de Familia y Comunitaria, Centro de Salud Bombarda, Zaragoza, España. Electronic address: mdmyague@hotmail.es.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Yagüe-Sebastián
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Coscollar-Escartín
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Muñoz-Albadalejo
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: López-Canales
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Villaverde-Royo
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez-Moreno
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013030:Spain; D014504:Urban Health; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
keywords: Administración tópica; Antiinflamatorios no esteroideos; Evidence based practice; Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents ;Topic administration; Prescripción; Prescriptions; Práctica basada en la evidencia científica