In a rare look at how analgesics are used, researchers compared findings of two consumer surveys – one conducted in 1997 and a larger survey fielded in 2003 – to measure consumer awareness levels of side effects associated with commonly used over-the-counter pain relievers. The comparison study found that as of 2003, 59 percent of respondents said they were concerned about side effects associated with over-the-counter analgesics, compared to only 18 percent in 1997. However, in 2003, 44 percent of respondents said they took more than the recommended dose of medications, up from 26 percent in 1997.
"Each day, more than 30 million Americans take an NSAID for quick, easy pain relief from common ailments like headaches and arthritis. Because these drugs are easily accessible and can be very effective, there is a misperception out there that they have no risks," said Byron Cryer, M.D., lead investigator on the study and an associate professor of medicine at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, Texas. "In reality, there are serious side effects associated with inappropriate use that patients need to recognize."
NSAIDs, including the pain medications aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen, are one of the leading causes of stomach ulcers and have been associated with side effects ranging from stomach upset to stomach bleeding, which can be life threatening. In fact, NSAID use leads to more than 103,000 hospitalizations and 16,500 deaths each year in the United States. That's more deaths than from AIDS and more than four times as many deaths as those from cervical cancer.
"There is no medical test to determine who will develop side effects, and there usually are no warning signs. Education is imperative to help patients recognize the risk factors and have discussions with their physicians," said Cryer, who co-chairs the REDUCE Campaign (Risk Education to Decrease Ulcer Complications and their Effects from NSAIDs), a program of the American Gastroenterological Association aimed to raise awareness about the serious health risks associated with NSAIDs.
The study found that more than one-third of survey respondents considered it safe to combine over-the-counter analgesics and prescription NSAIDs – putting them at high risk for complications. Other risk factors include age (over 60), previous history of ulcers, taking higher than recommended doses, using NSAIDs for an extended period of time, and combining NSAIDs with blood thinners or steroid medications.
The public can visit www.2REDUCE.org or call 1-888-2REDUCE to learn more about potential NSAID side effects and receive a complimentary brochure highlighting common risk factors, potential warning signs that a problem may exist and tips to help reduce one's risk.
The REDUCE campaign is supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Pfizer Inc.
American Gastroenterological Association
The AGA is dedicated to the mission of advancing the science and practice of gastroenterology. Founded in 1897, the American Gastroenterological Association is the oldest medical-specialty society in the United States. The AGA's 14,000 members include physicians and scientists who research, diagnose and treat disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and liver. On a monthly basis, the AGA publishes two highly respected journals, Gastroenterology and Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. The AGA's annual meeting is Digestive Disease Week, which is held each May and is the largest international gathering of physicians, researchers and academics in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery. More information about gastroenterology and the AGA can be accessed at www.gastro.org.
Digestive Disease Week
Digestive Disease Week (DDW) is the largest international gathering of physicians, researchers and academics in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy and gastrointestinal surgery. Jointly sponsored by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) and the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (SSAT), DDW takes place May 15-20, 2004 in
New Orleans, Louisiana. The meeting showcases approximately 5,000 abstracts and hundreds of lectures on the latest advances in GI research, medicine and technology.