Background: Minimal research exists that describes the potential for serious gastrointestinal complications in individuals receiving outpatient physical therapy care.

Objective:To identify the prevalence of risk factors for gastrointestinal complications induced by anti-inflammatory drugs or aspirin in individuals receiving outpatient physical therapy services.

Methods and Measures: A self-administered questionnaire was used at 65 ambulatory physical therapy clinics to document past medical history, history of present illness, and medication use. Risk factors for anti–inflammatory-drug- or aspirin-induced gastrointestinal complications were identified and the proportion of patients reporting each factor was determined.

Results: A total of 2433 patients completed the survey. Of the 2311 evaluable patients included in the study, 78.6% reported over-the-counter or prescribed use of an anti-inflammatory drug or aspirin during the week prior to the survey. Forty-nine percent of the patients reported at least 1 risk factor for drug-induced gastrointestinal complications, while 12.9% reported 2 or more risk factors. The most frequently reported established risk factors among anti-inflammatory drug or aspirin users were (1) combination (dual) therapy (22.3% reported concomitant use of anti–inflammatory and aspirin therapy), (2) advanced age (15.7% were over the age of 61 years), (3) history of peptic ulcer disease (7.8% had a history of peptic ulcer disease), and (4) significant systemic illness (6.8% reported having rheumatoid arthritis or heart disease). A frequently encountered risk factor combination was advanced age with a history of peptic ulcer disease (12.7%).

Conclusions: Patients seen at physical therapy ambulatory clinics present with multiple risk factors for anti–inflammatory-drug- or aspirin-induced gastrointestinal complications and provide a potential opportunity for risk reduction by clinicians working in this environment.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2002; 32(10):510–517.

Keywords: anti–inflammatory drug, aspirin, gastrointestinal complications, physical therapy

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