Use of NSAIDs in treating patients with arthritis

Patients with rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, almost universally describe pain and stiffness as important contributors to reduced health-related quality of life. Of the treatment options available, NSAIDs are the most widely used agents for symptomatic treatmen...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Arthritis research & therapy 2013-01, Vol.15 Suppl 3 (S3), p.S2-S2, Article S2
Main Author: Crofford, Leslie J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - adverse effects
Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal - therapeutic use
Arthritis - complications
Arthritis - metabolism
Biosynthetic Pathways - drug effects
Cardiovascular Diseases - chemically induced
Humans
Kidney Diseases - chemically induced
Liver Diseases - etiology
Pain - etiology
Pain - metabolism
Pain - prevention & control
Prostaglandins - biosynthesis
Review
Risk Factors
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Patients with rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, almost universally describe pain and stiffness as important contributors to reduced health-related quality of life. Of the treatment options available, NSAIDs are the most widely used agents for symptomatic treatment. NSAIDs are effective anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs by virtue of their ability to inhibit biosynthesis of prostaglandins at the level of the cyclooxygenase enzyme. However, many of the adverse effects of NSAIDs are also related to inhibition of prostaglandin production, making their use problematic in some patient populations. For the clinician, understanding the biology of prostaglandin as it relates to gastrointestinal, renal, and cardiovascular physiology and the pharmacologic properties of specific NSAIDs is key to using these drugs safely. Of particular importance is the recognition of co-morbid conditions and concomitant drugs that may increase the risk of NSAIDs in particular patients. In patients with risk factors for NSAID toxicity, using the lowest dose of a drug with a short half-life only when it is needed is likely to be the safest treatment option. For those patients whose symptoms cannot be managed with intermittent treatment, using protective strategies is essential.
ISSN:1478-6354
1478-6362
1478-6354
DOI:10.1186/ar4174