Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in general practice - a decision making dilemma

Project Coordinator

Suzi Mikhail, Nicholas Zwar, Sanjyot Vagholkar

Chief Investigators

Associate Investigators

Other Team Members

Sarah Dennis, Richard Day

Rationale

Due to studies that demonstrated an increased cardiovascular risk in patients taking Cox-2 selective NSAIDS, rofecoxib (Vioxx) had been withdrawn in September 2004 from the worldwide market. This has generated concerns about the cardiovascular safety of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) as a drug class. In light of multifaceted evidence, safety concerns, and patients’ wishes and expectations, GPs are challenged by the clinical decision-making of prescribing NSAIDS for patients with osteoarthritis.

Aims

This study aims to understand how general practitioners (GPs) and patients make decisions regarding the use of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) for treatment of osteoarthritis.

Design and Method

Focus groups of general practitioners and patients with osteoarthritis exploring decision making process in use of NSAIDs.

Key Publications

Mikhail S, Zwar NA, Vagholkar S, Dennis SM, Day RO. Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs in General Practice – A Decision Making Dilemma. Med J Aust. In press