Osteoarthritis: increasing mobility and reducing disability.

Older patients taking NSAIDs or high-dose aspirin should have complete laboratory evaluations of blood count, urinalysis, BUN/creatine, potassium, and serum transaminases several times yearly; more often if the clinical picture warrants. The use of aspirin, NSAIDs, and other medications should be reviewed in detail with the patient, particularly the rationale. The physician should stress the need to take the medications regularly, not "as needed." Physicians should also take time to warn patients against unorthodox medications and "treatments."