CLINICALLY SIGNIFICANT GASTROPATHY ASSOCIATED WITH NONSTEROIDAL ANTIINFLAMMATORY DRUG-USE IN CHILDREN WITH JUVENILE RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS

Objective. To estimate the frequency of documented clinically signific ant gastrointestinal (GI) side effects secondary to nonsteroidal antii nflammatory drugs (NSAID) therapy and to describe the adverse events. Methods. Computerized medical records of 702 patients with juvenile rh eumatoid arthritis (JRA) administered NSAID were searched for the occu rrence of clinically significant gastropathy (esophagitis, gastritis, peptic ulcer disease). Results. Five children were identified who had a total of 10 events of gastropathy documented by either barium swallo w or endoscopy, and thought to be attributable to NSAID therapy. Each child had at least 2 separate events of clinically significant gastrop athy. Conclusion. Although mild GI disturbances are frequent side effe cts associated with NSAID therapy, the number of children with JRA who experience clinically significant gastropathy appears to be low.