The assessment of gastrointestinal and cardiovascular risks and the rational use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in outpatient treatment at Nam Can Tho University Hospital in 2024

Abstract

This study aims to assess the gastrointestinal and cardiovascular risks and the rational use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in outpatient treatment. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using 253 outpatient prescriptions of patients who were treated at the Nam Can Tho University from July to December 2024. Patients aged ≥ 18 years and having used at least one type of NSAIDs were included in the study. The data collection process involved analyzing prescription and recording demographic characteristics, types of NSAIDs used, as well as gastrointestinal and cardiovascular risks and the rational use of NSAIDs. Quebec Medical Council guideline was applied to assess the gastrointestinal and cardiovascular risks, which were classified into three categories: low, moderate, and high. Patients who are under 60 years old accounted for a higher proportion and were mostly men from Can Tho city. Musculoskeletal and connective tissue diseases were the most common group (58.89%). Meloxicam (45.85%) and Etoricoxib (26.88%) were most commonly prescribed. 34.39% of patients were prescribed proton pump inhibitors. Low gastrointestinal risk (64.03%) and low to moderate cardiovascular risk (90.91%) were the highest. NSAIDs are reasonably prescribed for both gastrointestinal and cardiovascular risks, accounting for 75%. Patients mostly have low gastrointestinal risk and low cardiovascular risk. The proportion of NSAIDs prescribed appropriately is higher than those prescribed inappropriately.