A cluster randomized trial to measure the impact on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and proton pump inhibitor prescribing in Italy of distributing cost-free paracetamol to osteoarthritic patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Paracetamol is recommended as first-line treatment for pain control in osteoarthritis because it has fewer side effects than do other therapeutic options, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Prescribing proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) as gastric bleeding prophylaxis in chronic NSAID users is also common, although not recommended. In Italy, paracetamol is not reimbursed by the National Health System. The aim of this trial was to test whether the availability to osteoarthritis patients of free paracetamol would decrease their use of NSAIDs and, as a secondary objective, whether opioid and PPI consumption would also decrease.

Methods

Eight general practitioners (GPs) (59 patients) were randomized to usual care and 8 (58 patients) to the experimenta

SUBMITTER: Vicentini M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6896368 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature