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Incidence of non-steroidal anti-infl ammatory drugs induced gastric discomfort in patients with knee osteoarthritis
Abstract
Background: Osteoarthritis is an age related degenerative disease seen predominantly in the elderly. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) is a major therapeutic component in the management of osteoarthritis. Selective NSAID was developed to reduce the incidence of gastric irritation and erosion caused by the regular NSAIDS.
Methods: All elderly patients with clinical and radiographic features of osteoarthritis were included in the study. Some patients were placed on regular NSAIDS while others were placed on selective NSAIDS, being randomly selected. The trial was carried out in a private clinic over three years. Proton pump inhibitor was added as soon as patients complain of abdominal discomfort.
Results: Osteoarthritis was made up of 30.9 % of the total rheumatology cases seen over the three years period. Both patients on non-selective and selective NSAIDS presented with gastric discomfort. Symptoms were more noticeable in patients on non-selective NSAIDS. Females were more affected. Only two patients (2.1%) presented with symptomless gastrointestinal bleeding. Proton pump inhibitor was helpful in majority of patients.
Conclusion: Gastric discomfort is very common in elderly patients on NSAIDS. Selective NSAIDS is not an exception though better than non-selective NSAIDS. Contributory factors may be co-intake of low dose aspirin and few others on corticosteroid and anticoagulant.
Key words: NSAIDS, Gastric discomfort, Osteoarthritis, Elderly.
Methods: All elderly patients with clinical and radiographic features of osteoarthritis were included in the study. Some patients were placed on regular NSAIDS while others were placed on selective NSAIDS, being randomly selected. The trial was carried out in a private clinic over three years. Proton pump inhibitor was added as soon as patients complain of abdominal discomfort.
Results: Osteoarthritis was made up of 30.9 % of the total rheumatology cases seen over the three years period. Both patients on non-selective and selective NSAIDS presented with gastric discomfort. Symptoms were more noticeable in patients on non-selective NSAIDS. Females were more affected. Only two patients (2.1%) presented with symptomless gastrointestinal bleeding. Proton pump inhibitor was helpful in majority of patients.
Conclusion: Gastric discomfort is very common in elderly patients on NSAIDS. Selective NSAIDS is not an exception though better than non-selective NSAIDS. Contributory factors may be co-intake of low dose aspirin and few others on corticosteroid and anticoagulant.
Key words: NSAIDS, Gastric discomfort, Osteoarthritis, Elderly.
