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Background <p>Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly prescribed to pediatric patients, but inappropriate use can lead to adverse health outcomes. Therefore, a study was conducted to analyse the prescribing patterns and drug-related problems (DRPs) associated with NSAIDs among pediatric patients at a private tertiary care hospital in Malaysia.</p> Methods <p>This single-centre, ambidirectional cohort study was conducted at a private tertiary care hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from January 2024 to March 2025. Pediatric patients under 18 years old who were prescribed NSAIDs were included in the study. Data was collected from the patient’s prescriptions and clinical progress notes.</p> Results <p>A total of 1958 pediatric prescriptions were analysed. The mean age of patients prescribed NSAIDs was 8.26 ± 5.08 years (Median: 8 years, IQR: 8.75). Of the 1958 patient visits, 882 (45.05%) were to pediatricians, and 803 (41.01%) were to the emergency department. A total of 2072 NSAIDs were prescribed, with the majority (94.48%; <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) of prescriptions containing only one NSAID. The most common reason for prescribing NSAIDs was pain (63.18%). Ibuprofen was the most commonly prescribed NSAID for both male and female patients (<i>n</i> = 1216, 58.94%), followed by Diclofenac (<i>n</i> = 270, 12.75%) and Celecoxib (<i>n</i> = 218, 10.57%). Age was significantly associated with the type of NSAID prescribed (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). A total of 405 potential DRPs were identified. Ibuprofen had the highest number of potential DRPs (<i>n</i> = 193, <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001) due to its high usage, followed by Diclofenac (<i>n</i> = 142) and Celecoxib (<i>n</i> = 16).</p> Conclusion <p>Ibuprofen was the most commonly prescribed NSAID for pediatric patients, primarily for painful inflammatory conditions, leading to an increase in drug-related complications. While the prescribing pattern of NSAIDs appears appropriate, there is a rising trend in drug-related complications. Structured educational intervention programmes are needed to improve the prescribing pattern of NSAIDs in healthcare settings and ensure the safety of pediatric patients.</p>

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Assessment of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use and its complications among pediatric patients at a private tertiary care hospital in Malaysia

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年8月22日

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  • Ju Yee Cassandra Low,
  • Palanisamy Sivanandy,
  • Pravinkumar Vishwanath Ingle,
  • Priya Manirajan

摘要

Background

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly prescribed to pediatric patients, but inappropriate use can lead to adverse health outcomes. Therefore, a study was conducted to analyse the prescribing patterns and drug-related problems (DRPs) associated with NSAIDs among pediatric patients at a private tertiary care hospital in Malaysia.

Methods

This single-centre, ambidirectional cohort study was conducted at a private tertiary care hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from January 2024 to March 2025. Pediatric patients under 18 years old who were prescribed NSAIDs were included in the study. Data was collected from the patient’s prescriptions and clinical progress notes.

Results

A total of 1958 pediatric prescriptions were analysed. The mean age of patients prescribed NSAIDs was 8.26 ± 5.08 years (Median: 8 years, IQR: 8.75). Of the 1958 patient visits, 882 (45.05%) were to pediatricians, and 803 (41.01%) were to the emergency department. A total of 2072 NSAIDs were prescribed, with the majority (94.48%; p < 0.001) of prescriptions containing only one NSAID. The most common reason for prescribing NSAIDs was pain (63.18%). Ibuprofen was the most commonly prescribed NSAID for both male and female patients (n = 1216, 58.94%), followed by Diclofenac (n = 270, 12.75%) and Celecoxib (n = 218, 10.57%). Age was significantly associated with the type of NSAID prescribed (p < 0.001). A total of 405 potential DRPs were identified. Ibuprofen had the highest number of potential DRPs (n = 193, p < 0.001) due to its high usage, followed by Diclofenac (n = 142) and Celecoxib (n = 16).

Conclusion

Ibuprofen was the most commonly prescribed NSAID for pediatric patients, primarily for painful inflammatory conditions, leading to an increase in drug-related complications. While the prescribing pattern of NSAIDs appears appropriate, there is a rising trend in drug-related complications. Structured educational intervention programmes are needed to improve the prescribing pattern of NSAIDs in healthcare settings and ensure the safety of pediatric patients.