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Abstract
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and causes substantial morbidity and healthcare expenditure worldwide. This is partly due to the gastrointestinal side effects associated with the use of nonspecific nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Cyclooxygenase-2 specific inhibitors offer a therapeutic alternative since they may reduce gastrointestinal-related risks with a similar clinical efficacy to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This article provides an overview of the clinical and economic value of cyclooxygenase-2 specific inhibitors in the management of osteoarthritis. The authors’ findings suggest that cyclooxygenase-2 specific inhibitors show comparable efficacy with nonspecific nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, yet have reduced rates of gastrointestinal complications. Pharmacoeconomic studies have demonstrated the cost-effectiveness of prescribing cyclooxygenase-2 specific inhibitors in certain high-risk populations. Cyclooxygenase-2 specific inhibitors provide clinical and economic benefits in patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Future studies should further examine the economic implications of newer cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors and quantify the impact of pain management on patients’ quality of life.