Features and analysis of the current problems with the use of NSAIDs in the Arab countries

Musculoskeletal system diseases affect not only the elderly, but also the young who belong to the economically active population. These diseases are almost always accompanied by pain and limited mobility, which negatively affects quality of life and its expectancy, including those in Arab countries. Among the musculoskeletal system diseases, rheumatoid arthritis is widespread among low- and middle-income groups, especially among those with lower socioeconomic status. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the mainstay of treatment for musculoskeletal diseases in the Arab countries. Elderly people (over 65 years old) take NSAIDs almost daily. At the same time, many patients do not have complete information about the drugs, their adverse reactions, interaction with other groups of drugs, and they do not know or cannot calculate the correct dosage of drugs and the frequency of their administration. Today, the main problems with the use of NSAIDs are associated with lack of patients’ awareness of their adverse reactions, drug interactions, and the possibility of further pharmacocorrection. The identified problems with the use of NSAIDs in the Arab countries suggest that selective anti-inflammatory drugs should be designed for systemic administration. They are characterized as drugs with the lowest spectrum of adverse reactions, the low frequency of administration and, as a result, can be recommended for patients with certain concomitant diseases, for example, those in the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, etc.