LAUSR

Solid organ transplantation (SOT) has become the therapy of choice for the treatment of end-stage organ failure. The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and over-the- counter (OTC) painkillers are ofenly used. In a group of SOT recipients, co-morbidities and immunosuppression interactions significantly increase the risk of side effects. The aim of the study was to analyze the frequency and reasons of the NSAIDs and/or painkillers use by renal (RTRs) and heart transplant recipients (HTRs). This cross-sectional study was perfomed in randomly selected 388 RTRs and 286 HTRs aged from 18 to 82 years. The original annonymus questionnaire consisting of 32 questions related to health status and NSAIDs and/or analgesics use was applied. Questionnaire was distributed in paper-form and completed with the participation of medical worker either in transplant cardiosurgical or renal transplantation center. “R” v. 3.6.1. was used for statistical analysis and p-value <0.05 was considered significant. 674 patients were surveyed. All patients: 34,3% (n=231) women and 65,7% (n=443) men in the mean age of 62.27 years completed the questionnaire. 70% (n=451) of respondents declared using NSAIDs and/or analgesics. Furthermore, 87% of participants declared using OTC painkillers. The most frequent causes for using analgesics are listed in Table 1. 68,5% of our SOT recipients declared that they were informed by their doctor about consequences of other drugs used with immunosuppression. 69,9% of HTRs comparing to 54,3% of RTRs ask their doctor before taking analgesics. Nevertheless, the survey also showed that every third patient (31,5%) was not sufficiently informed. Acetaminophen was the first-choice drug taken by 67,6% of patients (Fig. 1). Only 20% of patients declared not using NSAIDs and/or analgesics at all. The result of our study indicates high frequency of NSAID and painkillers usage by RTRs and HTRs. Considering potentially harmful influence on transplanted organs, the costs of transplantation and post-trasplant care, the awareness of drug- related side effects or interactions and patients compliance need to be highlighted.