Frequent analgesic use at population level: Prevalence and patterns of use

Abstract

Statistics and prescription database studies show that analgesics are widely utilized, but do not tell anything about either the factors behind analgesic use or how over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics are being used. We aimed to study the prevalence of frequent use of prescribed and OTC analgesics. We also investigated the background factors related to frequent analgesic use and assessed rationality of analgesic usage patterns. We addressed a postal survey to a random stratified population sample of 6500 Finnish people aged 15-74 years. The response rate was 71% (n=4542) after exclusion of unobtainable addressees (n=68). Individuals reporting analgesic use 'daily' or 'a few times a week' were categorized as frequent users. After adjusting for age and sex, the overall prevalence of daily analgesic use was 8.5%, and the prevalence of analgesic use a few times a week 13.6%. The adjusted prevalence of using exclusively prescribed analgesics daily or a few times a week was 8.7%, and that of utilizing purely OTC analgesics 8.8%. The overall prevalence of concomitant frequent use of both prescribed and OTC analgesics was 4.6%. Multinominal logistic regression analyses showed that frequent analgesic use was related especially to daily or continuous pain and high pain intensity. Low mood and not being employed also increased the probability for daily analgesic use. Frequent analgesic use seems to be common at population level. Concomitant use of both prescribed and OTC analgesics can be considered irrational, as it increases the risk of adverse events.

Use of analgesics in adults with pain complaints: prevalence and associated factors, Turkey

“…These fi ndings were consistent with those of other studies. 3,715,19,20 In the present study, women had a signifi cantly higher prevalence of analgesic use than men; while it was statistically signifi cant, the logistic regression did not show any statistically signifi cant ORs. Similar to our fi ndings in Turkey, many studies have also shown there is a signifi cant gender difference in the prevalence of analgesic use among adult population.…”

“…This was consistent with that found in some countries, 2,20 though lower than that reported in others. 3,9,14,15,16,18,20 Individual characteristics are also important for irrational use of OTC and non-prescription analgesics, as well as drug regulations, drug supply, and the drug industry. Many studies showed that women with pain were more likely to have recently used both analgesics and OTC analgesics than men.…”

“…This fi nding was corroborated by some previous studies. 3,15,20 Moreover, analgesic use was more prevalent in the illiterate population. While this fi nding is consistent with the results of some studies, 2,13 it is inconsistent with others.…”

“…While this fi nding is consistent with the results of some studies, 2,13 it is inconsistent with others. 18,20 Our study had both strengths and limitations. A major strength is that data were collected through face-to-face home interviews by nine trained interviewers under the supervision of four trained supervisors.…”

“…1,3,12,15,20 In Turkey, analgesics are the most frequently consumed products in treatment groups and they have accounted for 9.5% of pharmaceutical consumption by therapeutic class. 17 At individual level, one of the most common reasons is taking a prescribed and non-prescribed medicine to relieve or treat pain and their symptoms 2,5,19 and it has been reported that non-prescribed and improper use of analgesics has reached worrisome levels.…”