Perception of prescribing factors and purchase statistics of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in an orthopedic clinic

OBJECTIVES: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are associated with concern of adverse drug reactions (ADRS) including gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, renal, and musculoskeletal. Non-selective and selective NSAIDS are proposed to differ with regard to their potential to cause ADRS. The aim of this pilot study was to compare perception of prescribing factors and purchase statistics of NSAIDS among physicians in a Norwegian orthopedic clinic. RESULTS: Forty-five (55%) of 82 invited physicians from the orthopedic clinic participated anonymous in a survey in February 2017. Effect and ADRS were rated as the most important factors for prescribing of NSAIDS. The participants were equally concerned about specific ADRS for prescription of non-selective and selective NSAIDS irrespective of type of ADR. They were generally more concerned about cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and renal ADRS than musculoskeletal. Purchase statistics from 2015 and 2016 showed that celecoxib, a selective NSAID, dominated in the orthopedic clinic. The discrepancy between perception of prescribing factors and purchase statistics of NSAIDS was possibly explained by a high degree of conformity to clinic guidelines. Our preliminary results indicate that perception of prescribing factors of NSAIDS among orthopedics should be surveyed in multicenter or multinational studies.