Criteria for selecting and using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in primary health care

Background. Numerous non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are com mercially available in Spain. This makes proper selection and use of these drugs difficult for GPs. Objective. To find out the criteria which GPs use to choose among the drugs in this group and to evaluate other criteria related to the clinical manag ement of NSAIDs. Method. A survey questionnaire was distributed among all the GPs of the ref ormed network in the health area of Tarragona (Spain). Results. The doctors questioned chose a limited number of NSAIDs. Major pre ferences were diclofenac and piroxicam. The main criteria for selection wer e: efficacy and safety of the drug; previous and/or current gastrointestina l pathology of the patient; the difference between acute and chronic use; a nd the type of inflammatory process. There were a large number of combinati ons of routes of administration. The histamine H-2 antagonists were the pro phylactic drugs which were used most for gastropathy. Conclusion. Sometimes the main criteria for choosing between the drugs in t his study do not reflect the drugs that are used in clinical practice. Some of the criteria used by GPs for selecting and using NSAIDs should be revie wed.