Incidence of writing double NSAIDs in a single prescription for osteoarthritis.

Abstract

 Objective: To determine how frequent NSAIDs are used for osteoarthritic patients because OA is common old age patients and NSAIDs can cause divesting complications on their health. In our study we tried to identify the main reasons and suggest a best possible solution. Study Design: Community Based Cross-sectional study. Setting: Mohammad Medical College and Hospital Mirpurkhas Pakistan. Period:  June 2018 to August 2018. Material & Methods: In this study, we included more than 300 prescriptions written for Osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease. Prescriptions collected from hospital pharmacy (80%) and from other pharmacies (20%). Data was collected on preformed proforma and was analyzed in SPSS version 25. Results: Osteoarthritis mainly affects elderly population. NSAIDs are used for pain relief but can cause acute renal failure and GIT bleeding ulcers. In our study 69% patients were prescribed double NSAIDs. Traditional NSAIDs were used 95% of the time and only 5% percent of the time selective cox 2 were used. Along with these NSAIDS only 20% patient were given prophylactically gastroprotective agents like PPI and other medications. Conclusion: Prescription osteoarthritis include multiple NSAID without any protocol and over dosage was observed commonly.