Patient–Physician Differences in Desired Characteristics of NSAID Plasters: An Online Survey

Abstract

In Japan, adhesive skin plasters containing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are frequently used to treat pain of musculoskeletal origin. There are many reports on their efficacy but few on patients' impressions of usability or levels of satisfaction. Objectives. To elucidate the differences in perception between patients and physicians concerning NSAID plasters. Subjects. We conducted two surveys about NSAID plasters on patients and physicians. 600 patients currently using plasters and 200 physicians currently prescribing NSAID plasters were studied. Methods. Questionnaire included items concerning usage, efficacy and side effects, site and intensity of their pain, pain management strategies, characteristics they desired from NSAID plasters, and their satisfaction with them. Results. The characteristic most frequently reported as desirable by patients was analgesic efficacy, followed by avoiding skin irritation and low medication cost. The characteristics most frequently reported as desirable by physicians were analgesic efficacy, alignment with patient preference, safety to skin, and comfort when applied. Our survey revealed that both patients and physicians prioritized analgesic efficacy of NSAID plasters. However, approximately half of the patients and physicians were unsatisfied with the analgesic efficacy of plasters. Conclusions. Physicians may improve patient satisfaction by discussing analgesic efficacy, skin complications, and price with patients before prescription.

Attributes Underlying Non-surgical Treatment Choice for People With Low Back Pain: A Systematic Mixed Studies Review

“…The Cohen's kappa coefficient was 0.7937 in the first phase of the selection process (screening of both titles and abstracts) and 0.9217 in the second phase (full-text readings). The reasons for excluding 24 studies that were fully read were as follows: the study was a systematic review without original data (n = 3) [19][20][21] ; the study did not consider the preferences of patients (n = 4) 13,14,22,23 ; the study analyzed preferences but not for treatment characteristics (n = 11) [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34] ; the pain site was somewhere other than in the low back or data were aggregated with other sites (n = 4) [35][36][37][38] ; the study was a sub-study of another one (n = 1) 39 ; and data was not available even after contacting the authors (n = 1) 40 . Details of the process selection can be found in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) flow diagram in Figure. Table 1 lists the 13 selected studies.…”

Safety risk associated with use of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs in Japanese elderly compared with younger patients with osteoarthritis and/or chronic low back pain: A retrospective database study

“…Therefore, switching from oral to patch NSAIDs in high‐risk patients is not expected to offer any additional advantage in lowering the risk of developing these events. Moreover, as shown in an online survey in Japan, 37% of patients used patch NSAIDs along with oral NSAIDs owing to dissatisfaction with patches alone 43 44 …”

“…Moreover, as shown in an online survey in Japan, 37% of patients used patch NSAIDs along with oral NSAIDs owing to dissatisfaction with patches alone. 43 Therefore, when pain is not relieved by NSAIDs, switching to other treatments should be considered. 44 …”

“…Moreover, as shown in an online survey in Japan, 37% of patients used patch NSAIDs along with oral NSAIDs owing to dissatisfaction with patches alone. 43 Therefore, when pain is not relieved by NSAIDs, switching to other treatments should be considered. 44 One of the limitations of this study is that the MDV only covers hospitals that provide acute in-hospital care, and data from other medical institutions such as prescriptions given by general practitioners are not included in the database.…”

Topical nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs for management of osteoarthritis pain: A consensus recommendation

“…66 In another Japanese study evaluating patients' desired characteristics of NSAID topical plasters, analgesic efficacy, including analgesic strength, length of action, and early onset of action, followed by avoiding skin irritation and low medication cost were the characteristics most frequently reported as desirable by patients. 67 Studies have found that increasing patients' knowledge through education about the causes of knee pain, treatment mode of action, and adverse effects improves both adherence and informed choice. 68,69 It is therefore important for healthcare professionals to engage patients in a shared decision-making process to encourage the use of topical NSAIDs among suitable patients and to promote treatment adherence.…”