Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs prescribing in chronic kidney disease: an observational study

Aim This study assessed the prescription of potentially nephrotoxic non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in general practice.

Background CKD poses a considerable disease burden in the UK. Guidelines state that caution should be exercised when prescribing NSAIDs to CKD patients, due to increased risk of rapid kidney disease progression.

Methods We reviewed the medical records of 1427 patients with CKD Stages 3–5 in seven general practices in West Yorkshire.

Findings A total of 792 (55.5%) were prescribed NSAIDs; 128 (9%) of these were prescribed NSAIDs excluding low-dose aspirin. Twenty-three (20.2%) patients who were prescribed NSAIDs had no record of CKD monitoring in the preceding year.

Conclusion Prescription of NSAIDs is likely to be contributing to unnecessary renal impairment.