Evaluation of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use in the elderly

Abstract

Introduction. According to National Bureau of statistics of the Republic of Moldova, 15,7% of chronic diseases in the geriatric population represent conditions of osteoarticular system. NSAIDs play a major role in the management of acute and chronic pain syndromes, they effectively relieve pain, but also these drugs are known to produce serious side-effects and can potentiate, increase or decrease the effect of many prescription and non-prescription drugs that elderly population takes. Tools and tips to monitor NSAIDs use provided by pharmacists can enhance understanding the benefits and the potential risks of pain relief medicines, help elderly patients be able to indentify typical side-effects and cautions, avoid complications and be aware of use them correctly. Aim of the study. The purpose of this study is to underscore how pharmacists appreciate NSAID drugs use in the elderly and to present tips for pharmacists that will help elderly patients to be aware of potential risks of NSAIDs inappropriate use. Materials and methods. It is a longitudinal study in which all the variables were collected from December to March 2018. A standardized questionnaire, with 8 closed-ended and 2 open-ended questions, was applied. Participants, drugs consumers, were visitors of community pharmacy. A descriptive analysis was performed; descriptive statistics such as mean, frequencies and percentages were used to describe and summarize the data. All analyses were performed using SPSS for Windows version 22.0. Results. Data suggest that current patient perception on NSAIDs is poor. In pharmacist’s point of view, elderly patients practice self-medication with NSAIDs (71%) and only 11% of pharmacists reported that the knowledge of elderly about NSAIDs are sufficient; additionally, in 75% of cases elderly didn’t reporte side effects caused by NSAIDs. The NSAIDs drugs requested by elderly are diclofenac and ibuprofen (80 responses), followed by paracetamol (34), nimesulid (29), desketoprofen (26), aspirin (22) and less than 20 responses – indomethacin, meloxicam, naproxen, metamizol and ketorolac. 66% of elderly patient return in particular pharmacy for counseling and select the NSAID drug according to pharmacist’s recommendation (82,7%). The majority of pharmacists listed such abilities as empathy, patience, amiability, simple language, and professionalism necessary to enhance communication with elderly. Conclusions. Before taking NSAIDs medication, elderly patients should be aware of the risks involved through detailed discussion with healthcare providers, including pharmacists. The community pharmacist can play an essential role in ensuring safe use of NSAID through regularly review pain relief medicines taken by older people, such as diclofenac, ibuprofen and paracetamol etc.