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USE OF NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS IN PATIENTS WITH ADVANCED ACTIVE RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS
Dubravka Bobek1,2,3, Andrea Banić Stipetić4, Miljenko Franić2,3,5,6
1Dubrava University Hospital, Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine with Rheumatology, Zagreb, Croatia.
Acta Clinica Croatica
|October 23, 2023
Summary
Many rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Their use is linked to functional status, not disease activity, and may reduce glucocorticoid dependence.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) management often involves non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- Understanding NSAID usage patterns and influencing factors in RA patients is crucial for optimizing treatment and minimizing side effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the regularity of NSAID use in active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.
- To determine if NSAID use correlates with disease activity, pain intensity, or functional status.
- To identify risk factors for gastrointestinal (GI) side effects associated with NSAID use.
Main Methods:
- A 6-month, cross-sectional, single-center study involving consecutively hospitalized RA patients.
- Assessment of daily living activities, pain intensity, and disease activity using validated tools (Health Assessment Questionnaire, visual analog scale, 28-joint disease activity score).
Main Results:
- 66% of 73 RA patients regularly used NSAIDs.
- NSAID users were less likely to use glucocorticoids compared to non-users.
- NSAID use decisions were independent of disease activity, pain, functional status, or GI risk factors.
- Higher functional impairment correlated with longer NSAID and glucocorticoid use duration.
Conclusions:
- NSAIDs remain a relevant treatment option for rheumatoid arthritis.
- NSAID initiation in RA is not solely dictated by disease activity or pain levels.
- Prolonged NSAID use is associated with higher functional disability in RA patients.
- NSAID use may allow for reduced glucocorticoid reliance, mitigating steroid-related adverse effects.
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