Two NSAIDS linked to lower quality-of-life

DURHAM, N.C., Feb. 4 (UPI) -- People who take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, for arthritis were linked to lower quality-of-life assessment levels, a U.S. study found.

Patients may take prescription and OTC NSAIDS at the same time, either because of inadequate pain relief or because they are unaware that they are taking two drugs in the same therapeutic class.

Study leader Stacey H. Kovac of Durham VA Medical Center and Duke University in Durham, N.C., said healthcare providers may also be unaware that patients are taking more than one NSAID.

The study, published in Arthritis Care & Research, involved 138 patients from a large regional managed care organization who had filled at least one NSAID prescription from February to August 2002.

Kovac found 26 percent of participants were dual users -- using at least two NSAIDs either prescription, OTC, or both -- during the previous month.

OTC medication is often not discussed during doctor visits although it is known that taking multiple NSAIDs can lead to gastrointestinal problems, Kovac said.

The study authors advise future research should focus on establishing factors that cause dual NSAID use.