Renal function assessment in non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug prescriptions. A pilot study in a primary care...

To determine the current state of renal function monitoring carried out on patients treated with NSAIDs.

We selected patients from a Primary Care Centre who had received NSAIDs for the first time. We checked if renal function was measured and/or controlled 2 months pre/6 months post-NSAID administration in order to assess if patient renal function was known at the time of prescription and afterwards.

During the study period, there were 42 822 prescriptions made. Of these, 8611 were new drug prescriptions, of which 482 (5.6%) were NSAIDs in patients older than 14 years of age. A total of 450 patients (64% female) were treated with NSAIDs. Ibuprofen (66.0%) was the most commonly prescribed. NSAIDs were more frequently used in patients between 14-45 years of age. Only 168 (37.1%) patients underwent any analytical tests over the course of the study (68% female). Before prescription, renal function was measured in only 14% of cases (63 patients). Two patients received NSAIDs despite having high serum creatinine levels. During the follow-up, serum creatinine was measured in 129 patients (28.7%).

In primary care, NSAIDs represent a substantial percentage of the drugs prescribed (5.6%). Ibuprofen is the most commonly prescribed. NSAIDs are more frequently used in women between 14-45 years. Musculo-skeletal pain is the main indication for prescription. Only 14% of patients receiving these drugs had previously measured levels of serum creatinine. These values are rarely taken into account when prescribing NSAIDs. Control of renal function after NSAID prescription was unusual.