The heterogeneity in the cost per case avoided with coxibs stratified by the number of major risk factors and exposure characteristics (with the cost per case avoided estimated for each individual prescription).

#Each NSAID prescription was classified according to first-ever use, long gap (previous prescription at least 6 mo before), and short gap (previous prescription within the last 6 mo). The medication possession ratio was estimated for the prescriptions issued after a short gap and divided into very low (<0.40), low (0.40–0.59), moderate (0.60–0.79), and high (0.80+). Short-term use was defined ≤4 prescriptions in the 1 y before, medium-term 5–11, and long-term ≥11 prior NSAID prescriptions. Rx, prescription.