Socioeconomic and pharmacoepidemiologic data on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) selective anti-inflammatory drugs

Health authorities of several European countries recently introduced guidel ines for socioeconomic evaluations. Additionally the activities of OMERACT (Outcome Measures in Rheumatoid Arthritis Clinical Trials) indicate an incr easing awareness for the need of socioeconomic studies in rheumatoloy. The planned 2000 OMERACT meeting in Toulouse will address transfer of socioecon omic standards into rheumatology. In terms of cost effectiveness of selecti ve Cox-2 inhibitors, a reference has to be made to the preceeding discussio n of cost effectiveness of Misoprostol. In addition, there are two models e xamining the cost effectiveness of Cox-2 inhibitors: a Canadian model compa ring Nabumetone and Naproxen and an unpublished model assessing the cost ef fectiveness of Celecoxib (ACCES: Arthritis Cast Consequence Evaluation Syst em), German data indicate that gastrointestinal bleedings account fur 32.9% of all adverse drug events leading to a hospital admission, Further data a ssessing the morbidity due to adverse effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflamma tory drugs are needed. Such data would allow the quantification of possible savings related to the usage of Cox-2 inhibitors in Germany.