Pattern use of Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs among Saudi Community: Patients' Perspective

Abstract

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to explore the utilization of public use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) among the participants from the major metropolitan areas in Saudi Arabia. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional study conducted over a period of 6 months. The study questionnaire was randomly distributed via digital media using Survey Monkey system to individuals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The questionnaire comprised 24 questions related to demographic data; age; education; socioeconomic status; weight; history of chronic disease; history of pain; frequency, type and dosage of NSAIDs; and indication for the use of NSAIDs. The survey web link was distributed via social media to a convenient sample of participants. Data were tabulated and analyzed by using SPSS version 13 software. Results: The survey questionnaire was distributed to 3000 patients and a total of 500 participants responded, making the response rate as 16.6%. Of them, the highest percentage of responders belonged to the age group of above 40 years (52.63%, n=263). Majority of the responders had a university degree (66.20%, n=329). Of all the responders, 54% (n=272) did not use painkillers daily, whereas 43.33% (n=216) took painkillers daily; 2.26% (n=11) of the responders did not remember. Around 87% (n=433) of the responders tool an average of 1-3 NSAIDs daily, 11.44% (n=57) took 4-7 NSAIDs daily and 1.49% (n=7) responders took 8-12 NSAIDs daily without a prescription. Furthermore, 0.50% (n=2) of the responders took more than 12 NSAIDs per day. Conclusion: The NSAIDs are highly utilized in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the number of awareness programs for the public about the side effects of short-and long-term use of NSAIDs is highly recommended in Saudi Arabia.

Tetramethylpyrazine ameliorates indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats: Impact on oxidative, inflammatory, and angiogenic machineries

“…The prevalence of H. pylori infection and peptic ulcer is high in Saudi Arabia as it is diagnosed in around 73% of the studied Saudi patients in the Western region of the Kingdom ( Saber et al, 2015 ). On the other hand, a survey study done in the major metropolitan areas in the Kingdom including 3000 individuals showed that NSAIDs are highly consumed as daily pain killers ( Bahdailah, 2019 ). Moreover, the current gastric ulcer treatment has numerous adverse reactions as well as partial efficacy against gastric illnesses ( de Lira Mota et al, 2009 ) .…”

“…Moreover, NSAIDs are highly consumed in Saudi Arabia. A survey questionnaire was distributed to 3000 individuals from the major metropolitan areas in the Kingdom, and among 500 responders, 43.33% of them were took painkillers daily ( Bahdailah, 2019 ).…”

Assessing the Knowledge of Analgesic Drugs Utilization during Pregnancy among Women in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Several studies have been published recently about the knowledge, awareness, and perceptions of the general Saudi population towards NSAIDs, but specific subpopulations such as pregnant women and women of childbearing age were not addressed [ 1 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ]. However, two Saudi studies investigated pregnant women’s knowledge about the use of NSAIDs and other medications such as paracetamol, antacids, antibiotics, and antihistamines [ 18 , 19 ].…”

Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Usage of Them among Saudi Population: Knowledge and Attitude Assessment

“…A study in Saudi Arabia has assessed student's attitude and awareness toward the use of OTC in the examination. The sample size was 1,596 of the student, 829 were college students, and 767 were high school [6]. Another study, Koffeman et al, published on the high-risk use of over-thecounter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the Rotterdam region of the Netherlands since 2014.…”