NCT02691754

Impact of a Free Distribution of Paracetamol to Osteoarthritic Patients on Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) and Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI) Prescription

A Cluster Randomised Trial to Measure the Impact of a Free Distribution of Paracetamol to Osteoarthritic Patients on Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) and Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI) Prescription

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 16 (actual)
• Sponsor: Azienda USL Reggio Emilia - IRCCS · Other Government
• Sex: All
• Age: 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Paracetamol is recommended as first line treatment for pain control in osteoarthritis, but it is not included in list of drugs than can be prescribed in charge of National Health System by General Practitioners. The hypothesis is that removing this economical barrier the investigators can decrease the prescription of NSAID and of the Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI), often given for gastric bleeding prophylaxis in NSAID chronic users. As secondary outcome, opioids use was also monitored to see. Aim of the study is to test if allowing prescription of free paracetamol decreases the prescription of NSAID in osteoarthritic patients.

Detailed description

The trial was conducted in two primary care units of the province of Reggio Emilia. The units have about 34.000 inhabitants. In this units 16 General Practitioners are active, the average beneficiaries per General Practitioner are 1500, about one fourth over 65 years old.

Conditions

• Osteoarthritis

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	free paracetamol	General Practitioners can prescribe paracetamol and the patient had to pick up the drug at the local hospital.

Timeline

• Start date: 2012-11-01
• Primary completion: 2013-10-01
• Completion: 2013-11-01
• First posted: 2016-02-25
• Last updated: 2025-06-12