Arthritis is a painful and disabling condition. To suppress the
pain and the inflammatory process, patients are often chronic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drug (
NSAID) users. Chronic use of
NSAIDs may induce
peptic ulcer, dyspeptic problems and
heartburn. Therefore, these patients are often provided with treatment to relieve and/or protect against gastrointestinal problems. Rheumatic disorders also affect a range of health-related quality of life domains. In one study, patients with
NSAID-associated gastroduodenal lesions complained about lack of energy, sleep disturbances, emotional distress and social isolation in addition to
pain and
mobility limitations. The degree of distress and dysfunction differed markedly from scores in an unselected population. Clinical trial data suggest that
acid-suppressing
therapy with
omeprazole is superior to
therapy with
misoprostol and
ranitidine in healing gastroduodenal lesions and preventing
abdominal pain,
heartburn and
indigestion symptoms during continued
NSAID treatment. Because arthritic patients are severely incapacitated by their condition regarding most aspects of health-related quality of life, it is important to offer a treatment that is effective in healing and preventing
NSAID-induced
ulcers and gastrointestinal symptoms during continued
NSAID treatment without further compromising the patients' quality of life. Treatment with
omeprazole once daily has been shown to be superior to that with
ranitidine and
misoprostol in this respect.