Education-based approach to addressing non-evidence-based practice in preventing NSAID-associated gastrointestinal complications

Table 1 A summary of the main questions (from a total of 22) assessing physicians’ knowledge of current evidence in the field of NSAID use and adverse effects

NSAID use is associated with adverse effects. Which of the following do you believe is not associated with NSAID use?

What is the expected annual incidence of upper GI complications in patients taking NSAIDs, as reported in the most recent large outcome studies?

The occurrence of dyspepsia in patients who take NSAIDs has been reported to be less than 25% (true or false)

NSAIDs may induce GI complications in the lower GI tract (true or false)

Which of the following factors do you believe is/are risk factors for GI complications in patients who take NSAIDs? (list)

Which of the following NSAIDs do you believe is more toxic to the GI tract? (list)

Concerning COX-2 selective inhibitors, for each of the following, indicate whether the statement is true or false:

They are not as effective as traditional NSAIDs in the treatment of OA or RA

The use of these compounds is associated with a 50% reduction in the risk of GI complications compared to NSAIDs

The concomitant use of low-dose aspirin reduces or eliminates the GI benefit of these compounds when compared to NSAIDs

The use of these compounds has been associated with an increased risk of CV events

In high-risk patients, the combination of NSAIDs plus a PPI is safer than a coxib alone

Concerning gastroprotective agents, indicate for each of the following statements whether they are true or false:

H2-RAs are effective in the prevention of gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, and GI complications

PPIs are effective in the prevention of gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, and GI complications

Misoprostol is effective in the prevention of gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, and GI complications

Which of the following agents has been proved to be effective in the treatment or prevention of NSAID-induced dyspepsia? (list)

NSAID: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug; GI: Gastrointestinal; CV: Cardiovascular; PPI: Proton pump inhibitor; H2-RAs: H2 receptor antagonists.