Excess costs related to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug utilization in general practice.

Data concerning the reasons for consultation and the use of NSAIDs were collected in 4643 patients, seen by 126 GPs over 2 days' consultation. In all, 11.6 per cent took NSAIDs. They were older (49 vs. 46 years, p = 0.02), took more drugs (3 vs. 2.5, p < 0.01), and more had ADRs (8 vs 2 per cent) than non-users, even after correction for age, sex and number of drugs taken. Some 33 per cent of NSAID users also took adjuvant medication for the prevention of gastric injury (including with COX-2 inhibitors meloxicam, nimesulide). Estimated excess costs associated with NSAID use were high, related to excess consultations (GP or specialist, for ADRs, approx. 5-8 million Euros per year in France) and to use of preventive medication (100 million Euros per year at least).