Abstract:
The purposes of this study were to study (1) use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (2) drug therapy problems (DTP) in NSAIDs-treated patients and (3) rational therapy of COX-2 inhibitors in outpatients at Pranangklao Hospital during November 2003 to January 2004. There were 467 patients, 31.5 % males and 68.5 % females with average age of 51.8 ± 14.1 years old. The patients were covered under universal health coverage - 30 baht policy (UC) for 37.7%, civil servant medical benefits scheme (CSMBS) 31.9% and social security scheme (SSS) 16.3%. Of 443 patients who received one NSAID: classical NSAIDs were prescribed to 271 patients (58.0%). specific COX-2 inhibitors to 150 patients (32.1%) and selective COX-2 inhibitors to 22 patients (4.7%). Two NSAIDs were prescribed to the other 24 patients (5.1%), and aspirin was the NSAID given in all combinations for the purpose of antiplatelet aggregation. Among 286 patients prescribed with classical NSAIDs, 172 patients (60.1%) were covered under UC. Of 181 COX-2 inhibitors recipients, only 4 patients (2.2%) were under UC. NSAIDs were most prescribed to osteoarthritis patients (25.7%) and for muscle pain and muscle strain 11.3 and 11.1% respectively. Two hundred and twenty patients (47.1%) had comorbid diseases, of which hypertension was the top ranking found in 106 patients (48.2%). Hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular diseases were found in 24.5 and 20.0% respectively. Classical NSAIDs were most prescribed for 310 times (63.1%) and 55.8% of them was diclofenac. Specific COX-2 inhibitors were prescribed for 159 times (32.4%), of which 65.4% were prescribed with celecoxib. Meloxicam, the only selective COX-2 inhibitor available, was the least prescribed with 22 times (4.5%). Patients of 86.9% were prescribed with the adjunct medication. Tolpensone, piroxicam gel, and analgesic balm were prescribed at 32.1, 17.2 and 15.2%, respectively. The gastrointestinal drugs were prescribed to 15.4% of patients, ranitidine was the most prescribed (51.4%) and antacid tablets, and omeprazole were prescribed at 30.6 and 6.9 % respectively. The risk factors of peptic ulcer were found in 36.4% of patients. The comorbid disease was the most risk found in classical NSAIDs users (76.0%). The other risks were age of 65 years or older, and more than one NSAIDs use (41.3 and 14.4%. respectively). The cost of specific COX-2 inhibitors prescribed in this study was 86.7% of total NSAIDs. The DTP were identified in 227 patients (48.6%) with 205 problems, average of 0.9 per patient. The problem most encountered was DTP with wrong drug (35.6%). Alcohol consumption or smoking, which may worsen the adverse reaction of NSAIDs to gastrointestinal tract, was found in 24.9% of patients. Seventy-one DTPs (34.6%) were resolved. According to the National Institute for Clinical Excellence Criteria, 26.5% of patients receiving COX-2 inhibitors were irrationally prescribed and cost 26.0% of total COX-2 inhibitors. Therefore, pharmacists should provide pharmaceutical care to achieve rational drug utilization for maximum benefits to all patients.