Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use in the elderly: issues of compliance and safety

Many of the goals in caring for patients with non-life-threatening rheumatic conditions can be safely met with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) therapy. These drugs relieve pain and stiffness and help to maintain joint mobility. However, no course of treatment can be successful without patient compliance. The difficulties of following dosage requirements and scheduling, together with the increased risk of adverse side effects, are particular problems for the elderly--the very patients who are the major consumers of NSAIDs. The key to successful NSAID therapy is maintaining patient comfort and function while using the simplest and safest medical regimen available. The author discusses ways in which these goals can be achieved.