Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs — Differences and Similarities

John A. Oates, M.D., Editor Alastair J.J. Wood, M.D., Associate EditorTHE nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are very commonly prescribed. This fact reflects the high prevalence of rheumatic diseases; approximately 8 percent of people have a rheumatic symptom at any one time. In 1984, it was estimated that nearly one in seven Americans was treated with an NSAID,1 and in 1986 100 million prescriptions were written for these drugs.2 During the past 30 years, there has been a substantial increase in the number of NSAIDs, but their availability varies markedly between countries.3 In the United States, at least until recently, . . .