Are Athletes Using Too Many NSAIDS?

A recent systematic literature review, “Analgesic Management of Pain in Elite Athletes: A Systematic Review,” in the September 2018 issue of The Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine raises questions about the use and effects of pain medication, especially nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) on elite athletes.

The researchers reviewed 70 articles that either examined the frequency with which elite athletes use pain medications, including NSAIDs, corticosteroids, anesthetics, and opioids, or the effects of the medication on pain and function outcomes as well as any adverse effects that may occur.

According to the data collected, oral NSAIDS are the most common medication used in some international sporting events by over half of athletes. They also found that NSAIDS use is particularly high among elite soccer athletes. In some international tournaments the use rate was as high as 50% and in others at least 30%.

Besides soccer players, collegiate and younger athletes also tend to use NSAIDS frequently and have poor awareness about the risks associated with taking these drugs.

The researchers suggest that these athletes in particular, soccer players and collegiate and younger athletes, could benefit from interventions to prevent drug misuse and reduce the risk of adverse effects.

The researchers wrote, “Existing empirical research does not provide a sufficient body of evidence to guide athletes and healthcare professionals in making analgesic medication treatment decisions.”

“Based on the relatively robust evidence regarding the widespread recommendations for NSAID use and adhere to a more unified consensus-based strategy for multidisciplinary pain management in elite athletes.”

They added, “In the future, we hope to see more rigorous, prospective studies of various pain management strategies in elite athletes, thus enabling a shift from consensus-based recommendations to evidence-based recommendations.”