Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Search for citing articles in:
ISI Web of Science (5)
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Right arrow Disclaimer
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Steinfeld, S.
Right arrow Articles by Bjørke, P. A.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Steinfeld, S.
Right arrow Articles by Bjørke, P. A.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

Rheumatology 2002; 41: 23-27
© 2002 British Society for Rheumatology

Article

Results from a patient survey to assess gastrointestinal burden of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy contrasted with a review of data from EVA to determine satisfaction with rofecoxib

S. Steinfeld and P. A. Bjørke1

Department of Rheumatology, Erasme University Hospital, route de Lennik 808, B-1070 Brussels, Belgium and 1Arthritis & Rheumatism International and The Norwegian Rheumatism Association, Oslo, Norway

Correspondence to: Correspondence to: S. Steinfeld, Department of Rheumatology, Erasme University Hospital, route de Lennik 808, B-1070 Brussels, Belgium.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have frequently been linked with unpleasant gastrointestinal (GI) side-effects such as dyspepsia and ulcers. The present study investigated the burden of NSAID therapy from a patient perspective and also reviewed previously published data on satisfaction with a less gastrotoxic anti-inflammatory drug, rofecoxib. A questionnaire was sent to >6000 members of the Norwegian Rheumatism Association requesting information on use and toxicity of NSAID therapy and requirements for supplementary gastroprotective and analgesic medication. The questionnaire confirmed a high incidence of NSAID use. About two-thirds of users changed brands of NSAIDs at least once, usually because of adverse effects and poor efficacy. Supplementary over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription analgesics were required by 72 and 59% of patients, respectively, while OTC and prescription gastroprotective agents to treat NSAID toxicity were required by 35 and 30%. This new patient-focused survey showed that treatment with conventional NSAIDs was unsatisfactory in terms of GI toxicity and sub-optimal pain relief. Reviewing EVA (Experience with VIOXX in Arthritis) data showed that there was a high level of approval for rofecoxib, with >80% of 74192 osteoarthritis (OA) patients expressing a preference for continuing such therapy. Preference for rofecoxib was significantly higher among patients with prior experience of conventional NSAIDs or other OA-specific medication. In EVA, the reduced GI toxicity of rofecoxib previously reported in other studies appeared to translate into a strong preference to continue this therapy in a large sample of patients. This is not surprising, given the poor satisfaction with NSAIDs highlighted by the Norwegian survey.

KEY WORDS: Rofecoxib, NSAIDs, Survey, Review, Ulcer, Gastropathy, Osteoarthritis, Quality-of-life, Pain


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?




Disclaimer:
Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.