Patient Awareness of NSAIDs and Pain Management

This is alarming due to the potentially serious cardiovascular, renal and gastrointestinal side effects that are associated with taking NSAIDs. Long-term healthcare providers can play a key role in educating patients on safe and effective ways to use NSAIDs because NSAIDs can be powerful tools in pain management.

Clearly, pain is a big issue in America. The “Understanding America's Pain” survey, an online survey of 1,056 adults conducted by Kelton Global and funded by Iroko Pharmaceuticals LLC, was designed to gain a deeper understanding of the types of pain Americans are experiencing, how it impacts their physical and emotional well-being, how they are treating their pain, and their knowledge and understanding regarding commonly used NSAIDs, including the risks associated with NSAIDs.

One key finding from the survey is that a majority of Americans have experienced pain and many feel that their pain is not adequately controlled:

  • Nearly 8 in 10 (77%) Americans surveyed have experienced at least one form of pain, whether from general pain, chronic pain, or pain as a result of aging, surgery or injury.
  • Forty-three percent (43%) of Americans have experienced some form of pain weekly or more.
  • Only 3 in 10 (31%) who experience pain feel that their pain is completely controlled.

The survey also delved into American's understanding of NSAIDs, which are widely used to manage and treat pain in this country. In 2014, 123 million prescriptions were filled for NSAIDs in the United States, and it's reported that one-third of the general population have used over-the-counter NSAIDs. Therefore, it's surprising that there is so much reported confusion about these pain medications
  • Nearly half of those surveyed (47%) said they do not know what NSAIDs are.
  • Only half (48%) of medication users say they are very confident that the medications they take are the safest and most effective for their pain symptoms.
  • Approximately half of medication users (58%) acknowledge that there are risks associated with NSAIDs, but only 27% are aware of the U.S. FDA recommendations to use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration.
  • Many medication users (52%) are not aware of low dose pain medication options.

It is important to educate patients that per FDA recommendations, both OTC and prescription NSAIDs should be taken at the lowest effective dosage for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals.

To read the full McKnight's article, Click Here