New understandings of NSAID gastropathy.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced gastropathy is a serious public health problem. The United States Food and Drug Administration has recently proposed strong class labelling for NSAIDS, warning of the risk of ulceration, bleeding and perforation associated with their use. The adaptation of the gastric mucosa in response to NSAID intake in volunteers does not seem to occur to the same extent in rheumatic patients. In an ongoing study of patients with osteo- or rheumatoid arthritis, currently in its fourth year, nabumetone has been shown to be relatively gastric sparing when compared with naproxen. Nabumetone is at least as effective as naproxen. Long-term studies are important as treatment of arthritis may involve prolonged use of NSAIDs.