UTILIZATION OF NONSTEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS STRATIFIED BY GASTROINTESTINAL AND CARDIOVASCULAR RISK IN MUSCULOSKELETAL PATIENTS TREATED AT VO TRUONG TOAN UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
Main Article Content
Abstract
Objective: To describe the utilization of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) stratified by gastrointestinal and cardiovascular risk among musculoskeletal patients treated at Vo Truong Toan University Hospital during 2025–2026.
Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted on 390 outpatient medical records with indications for NSAID use in the management of musculoskeletal conditions at Vo Truong Toan University Hospital in 2025–2026.
Result: Selective COX-2 inhibitors were predominantly used, including meloxicam (58%) and celecoxib (42%). Gastrointestinal risk was mainly at moderate (47.2%) and low (45.1%) levels, while cardiovascular risk was primarily moderate (50.3%) and low (49.7%). Age ≥65 years was associated with increased cardiovascular risk (OR = 0.6), and comorbidities increased this risk by 8.93 times. Gastrointestinal risk was associated with cardiovascular risk (OR = 5.69). Meloxicam was associated with a lower gastrointestinal risk compared with the non-use group (OR = 0.57), whereas celecoxib was associated with a higher risk (OR = 1.75).
Conclusions: NSAID use in musculoskeletal patients was predominantly focused on selective COX-2 inhibitors and was associated with low-to-moderate gastrointestinal and cardiovascular risks. Factors such as advanced age and comorbidities increased cardiovascular risk, and an association between gastrointestinal and cardiovascular risks was observed. Therefore, concurrent assessment of both risks is necessary to guide appropriate NSAID selection and ensure treatment safety.
Keywords
NSAIDs, gastrointestinal risk, cardiovascular risk, associated factors
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References
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