NSAID-INDUCED GASTROINTESTINAL DAMAGE - EPIDEMIOLOGY, RISK AND PREVENTION, WITH AN EVALUATION OF THE ROLE OF MISOPROSTOL - AN ASIA-PACIFIC PERSPECTIVE AND CONSENSUS

The problem of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced gas trointestinal toxicity was reviewed by members of the Asia Pacific Lea gue of Associations for Rheumatology (APLAR) in a consensus conference in September 1992. This paper by the participants presents the consen sus conclusions incorporating knowledge from recent publications. Ther e had been a high level of concern that much of the toxicity had resul ted from extensive and indiscriminate prescribing of NSAIDs. The imple mentation of evidence-based guidelines was considered likely to be abl e to effect a substantial reduction in toxicity without significant lo ss of overall therapeutic benefit. The evidence from which such guidel ines could be developed is critically appraised.