Self-medication Among Myofascial Pain Patients: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

Background:Self-medication has been reported as an option which people choose to relieve the suffering of conditions that cause pain, however, this could delay the correct diagnosis and therapy.Objective:The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of self-medication among patients with Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD), and to analyze correlations with the severity of the disease.Methods:A prospective study was conducted with patients who had been diagnosed with TMD. The patients were submitted to anamnesis and a physical examination. This research also used the Fonseca`s Anamnestic Index (FAI) and a questionnaire that was developed specifically for this study, containing questions related to the first health professional contacted and self-medication. The data were analyzed using comparative and correlative analysis (Version 18.0 of SPSS software), with the level of significance set at p<0.05.Results:Thirty-four patients were included, with a prevalence of females (91.2%) and a mean age of 39.76 years. Half of the patients claimed to have chosen their own medications at time, especially analgesics. Sodium dipyrone was used by 12 of the participants. Dentists were the most commonly contacted health professionals (55.5%). No correlation was found between self-medication and the severity of TMD according to the FAI. Furthermore, the time period between the onset of symptoms and the first consultation was not affected by self-medication.Conclusion:Self-medication seems to be highly prevalent among patients with TMD, although this practice does not seem to alter the severity of the disease.

Prevalence of Temporomandibular Dysfunction Symptoms in Dental Surgeons

“…2,9 Pharmacotherapy is a commonly used way to reduce morbidity and provide life quality to individuals in various clinical situations, especially those involving chronic pain. 10 Therefore, medications play an important role in the treatment of TMD patients, since 90% of these patients report pain as the main complaint, which generates disability and socioeconomic costs. 10,11 Pharmacotherapy for TMD usually occurs empirically.…”

“…10 Therefore, medications play an important role in the treatment of TMD patients, since 90% of these patients report pain as the main complaint, which generates disability and socioeconomic costs. 10,11 Pharmacotherapy for TMD usually occurs empirically. Although the prescription is extensive, there is a lack of specific scientific evidence for the pathology.…”

Self‐medication and pain catastrophizing in patients with myofascial pain: Are they related?

“…Evidence shows that acute symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) would eventually lead to chronicity and selfmedication would play a significant interfering role on such dynamics (Dias, Bastos, Alves, & Leite, 2019;Pastore, Goulart, Pastore, Prati, & de Moraes, 2018). Furthermore, some authors concluded that both propensity to catastrophize and depression contribute to the progression of chronic temporomandibular muscle and joint disorders (Velly et al, 2011).…”

Metamizole (Dipyrone) and the Liver: A Review of the Literature

“…For instance, metamizole was the third most prescribed analgesic drug in Switzerland in the period between 2006 and 2013, and in Germany it was the most prescribed analgesic substance in 2012, with more than 140 million defined daily doses . In countries where metamizole is sold over the counter, the drug is used as a common self‐medication and is the most taken analgesic agent in patients with chronic pain . A cross‐sectional population‐based study performed in Brazil, where metamizole is sold over the counter, analyzed 41 433 individuals and revealed that metamizole is the most used self‐medication .…”

“…28,36 In countries where metamizole is sold over the counter, the drug is used as a common self-medication and is the most taken analgesic agent in patients with chronic pain. 37 A crosssectional population-based study performed in Brazil, where metamizole is sold over the counter, analyzed 41 433 individuals and revealed that metamizole is the most used self-medication. 38,39 Figure 1 gives an overview of the legal status of metamizole worldwide according to the literature.…”