Cause for concern in the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications in the community - a population-based study
2011

NSAID Use and Risks in the Community

Sample size: 3175 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Robert J Adams, Sarah L Appleton, Tiffany K Gill, Anne W Taylor, David H Wilson, Catherine L Hill

Primary Institution: The University of Adelaide

Hypothesis

What is the prevalence of NSAID use among individuals with chronic conditions that contraindicate their use?

Conclusion

There is a high prevalence of current NSAID use among groups at-risk for significant drug-related adverse events or who have major chronic conditions that are relative contraindications to NSAID use.

Supporting Evidence

  • 11.2% of participants reported using NSAIDs.
  • 60.8% of NSAID users had hypertension.
  • 30.8% had Stage 3 or higher chronic kidney disease.
  • 20.7% had a history of cardiovascular disease.

Takeaway

Many people who take pain medications called NSAIDs also have health problems that could make these medications dangerous for them.

Methodology

Data were collected from 3,206 adults in a longitudinal population study, including medication use, health assessments, and demographic questionnaires.

Potential Biases

Potential underreporting of NSAID use and reliance on participants bringing medications to the clinic.

Limitations

The study is limited to one urban region, and self-reported data may underestimate NSAID use.

Participant Demographics

Adults aged 18 and older from the north western suburbs of Adelaide, South Australia.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.01

Confidence Interval

95% CI 2.0, 6.7

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2296-12-70

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