Preference for nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs versus acetaminophen and concomitant use of both types of drugs in patients with osteoarthritis

Objective. To analyze results of treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) with acet aminophen and the nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) through a pat ient survey. Methods, A 15 minute telephone survey was conducted with 300 patients, incl uding 172 with confirmed OA. Results, Twenty-four percent of patients who took acetaminophen rated it: a s "very helpful," compared to 31% for ibuprofen, 30% for naproxen, and 56% for diclofenac. Drug continuation beyond 24 months was reported by 33% of p atients for acetaminophen, 21% for ibuprofen, 17% for naproxen, and 19% for diclofenac. Acetaminophen was significantly less likely to be discontinued because of toxicity than NSAID. Patients who indicated that they would not take a drug again, and therefore be unlikely to participate in a clinical trial involving this drug, were 26% For acetaminophen, 40% for ibuprofen, 3 8% for naproxen, and 28% for diclofenac. About 30% of patients who took ace taminophen reported concurrent use of ibuprofen, naproxen, or diclofenac. A mong the 67% of patients who identified a drug as "most helpful," 80% named an NSAID, compared to 20% who named acetaminophen or another analgesic as the "most helpful" drug, Conclusion. Patients take many different drugs for OA, most of which are no t continued beyond 2 years. Many patients take both acetaminophen and an NS AID, Most patients who identified a drug as "most helpful" named an NSAID r ather than acetaminophen or an analgesic drug. These findings may be of val ue in further development of management strategies and guidelines for OA.