ARE RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS PATIENTS MORE WILLING TO ACCEPT NONSTEROIDALANTIINFLAMMATORY DRUG-TREATMENT RISKS THAN OSTEOARTHRITIS PATIENTS

One hundred and thirty-four patients with either osteoarthritis or rhe umatoid arthritis. and with a history of current or past non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) treatment, were interviewed regarding the benefits, expectations and side-effects of NSAID therapy. Their wi llingness to accept risks in medical treatment was also evaluated. Bot h groups experienced positive effects of the NSAID treatment correspon ding to their expectations. However, rheumatoid arthritis patients wer e significantly more willing to accept gastrointestinal side-effects w hen given an effective NSAID than the osteoarthritis patients, and the y were also more willing to take risks in trying a hypothetical new NS AID that had been shown to be effective in clinical trials.