title: Experiences of and attitudes towards receiving information about non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: a cross-sectional survey of patients in Thailand.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine sources of information about NSAIDs used by out-patients, factors related to receipt of information and patient attitudes towards receiving safety information.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey, using self-completed questionnaires distributed directly to 500 outpatients prescribed any NSAIDs from an orthopaedic clinic in Thailand, over a 4-month period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 548 patients approached and 474 completed questionnaires returned (94.8%). The most frequent aspects of medicines information that were provided related to administration (97.2%), mostly provided by pharmacists, and indication (85.8%), mostly provided by physicians. Information on identifying, monitoring and managing adverse effects was received by fewer than 50% of patients. Safety information was received significantly more frequently by younger patients (P<0.01), those using non-selective COX-2 inhibitors (P<0.001), intermittent NSAIDs (P<0.05) and fewer concomitant medicines (P<0.05). Only 14.1% patients used additional information sources. Attitudes towards receiving medicines safety information were positive. Most patients agreed they should know about ADRs (98.1%) and receive information leaflets with first prescription (96.8%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients received medicines information mostly from healthcare professionals, but safety information was limited. Type of NSAIDs, regularity of NSAID use and age affected receipt of safety information about NSAIDs. Provision of more medicine information is needed, particularly written documents.
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Khon Kaen University , Khon Kaen , Thailand.
authors.forename: Narumol
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jarernsiripornkul
authors.affiliation: a Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Khon Kaen University , Khon Kaen , Thailand.
authors.forename: Pacharaporn
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Phueanpinit
authors.affiliation: b Faculty of Pharmacy , Thammasat University , Pathumthani , Thailand.
authors.forename: Juraporn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pongwecharak
authors.affiliation: c Medway School of Pharmacy , Universities of Greenwich and Kent , Kent , UK.
authors.forename: Janet
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Krska
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001290:Attitude; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010045:Outpatients; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010595:Pharmacists; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000379:methods; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012449:Safety; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
keywords: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; attitude; drug safety information; patients’ experience; sources of information