Self-medication in older European adults: Prevalence and predictive factors

Brandão, Gabriela Rangel; Teixeira, Laetitia; Araújo, Lia; Paúl, Constança; Ribeiro, Óscar

doi:10.1016/j.archger.2020.104189

Cited by 35 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…The present study found that several items (aged ≤ 25 years (85.8%); students (85.7%); postgraduate education (86.7%); medium-high economic status (82.8%); urban population (80.1%)) were associated with a higher consumption of OTC drugs. These results are similar to those obtained by other researchers, although in our study, differences with regard to gender were not obtained [ 18 ]. In contrast to a previous study conducted by Shah et al, subjects aged >65 years-old were not the major consumers of OTC drugs in Spain [ 19 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Consumption of over-the-Counter Drugs: Prevalence and Type of Drugs

Sánchez-Sánchez

Fernández-Cerezo²,

Díaz-Jiménez

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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Recently, there has been an increase in the use of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. The consumption of these medicines can be unsafe, as incorrect self-diagnosis or the ingestion of inappropriate doses can lead to side effects and the occurrence of adverse reactions and drug–drug interactions. A cross-sectional descriptive observational study was carried out, targeting the entire Spanish population by using an online questionnaire. The results showed that 78.9% of the subjects had previously taken or were currently taking OTC drugs. This consumption decreased as the age of the subjects increased, with a prevalence of 36.4% of subjects aged ≥71 taking OTC drugs. Analgesics were the most consumed OTC drugs (49.1%) especially in women, youngsters with non-formal educational qualifications, and individuals of a low–medium socioeconomic level residing in urban areas. Measures should be implemented to optimize the safe use of OTC drugs in order to avoid the occurrence of secondary events associated with the lack of knowledge related to their the usage.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Consumption of over-the-Counter Drugs: Prevalence and Type of Drugs

Sánchez-Sánchez

Fernández-Cerezo²,

Díaz-Jiménez

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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“…Declining cognitive function and/or the presence of intellectual disability in older adults may also present challenges during prescribing if patients are unable to participate in shared decision-making and communicate their beliefs and preferences, as well as affecting medication management abilities [19,28,29]. Prescribers should be cognisant of older adults' use of non-prescription medications, particularly given the fact that they have been shown to be high users of over-the-counter (OTC) and complementary and alternative (CAM) medicines [30][31][32][33], placing them at greater risk of potential medication-related harm through drug interactions [34,35]. It is apparent that prescribing for older adults is not free from ambiguity or uncertainty when taking these factors into account during the prescribing process.…”

Section: Age-related Prescribing Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Update on Medication Use in Older Adults: a Narrative Review

Barry

Hughes

2021

Curr Epidemiol Rep

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Purpose of Review The global phenomenon of population aging is impacting the health and care needs of society. The use of medications by older adults is acknowledged to be the most common form of medical intervention for many acute and chronic conditions and prescribing in this population continues to increase. In this narrative review, we summarise the age-related factors that should be considered when prescribing for older adults, address some of the perennial challenges related to medicine use in older people, and highlight important emerging research in this area. Recent Findings A range of age-related factors should be considered when prescribing for older adults. However, the evidence base still lacks data pertaining to older adults due to their continued under-representation in clinical trials. Multimorbidity, polypharmacy, and inappropriate prescribing continue to remain prevalent among older adults, although recent research has been focused on the development and evaluation of complex interventions to address these challenges. Summary Further high-quality studies of interventions to improve and support medication use in older adults are needed, ensuring that older adults are well represented in such trials and consideration is given to the measurement of patient- and provider-focused outcomes.

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“…Inappropriate self‐medication practices might result in inaccurate self‐diagnosis, masking of symptoms, delays in seeking medical care, incorrect choice of medicinal product or route of administration, unnecessary multiple drugs use, unwarranted adverse drug reactions, and misuse and abuse of medical products 10,11 . Therefore, inappropriate self‐medication might pose an undue burden on the health‐care systems 12‐14 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While self‐medication is commonly practiced by different population groups, 13,15,16 pregnant women are a patient group of particular interest due to the potential risks that self‐medication may have on both mother and baby 17,18 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self‐medication among pregnant women attending outpatients' clinics in northern Jordan‐a cross‐sectional study

Alsous

Al‐Azzam

Nusair

et al. 2021

Pharmacology Res & Perspec

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Self‐medication can facilitate patients’ access to medicinal products, save time, and reduce financial and health‐care service use burden. On the other hand, irresponsible use of self‐medications can result in adverse consequences. Self‐medication is common among different demographic groups including pregnant women. In general, medicinal products might have harmful effects on mothers and baby. This study aimed to assess self‐medication practices among pregnant women in the northern region of Jordan. A cross‐sectional study was conducted on pregnant women attending outpatient clinics in the northern region of Jordan. Self‐medication practices among the target population were assessed using a survey questionnaire that was administered through interviewer‐assisted mode. Data were collected between December 2019 and September 2020, and descriptive statistics and inferential analysis were applied. A total of 1,313 pregnant women were surveyed (response rate = 95.50%). Self‐medication and the use of herbal remedies were practiced by 33.10% and 32.14% of the participant, respectively. Headaches and general pains were the most frequently reported conditions treated by self‐medication practice with either conventional medicinal products or herbal remedies. The gravidity (≥4) and the gestational stage (≥28 weeks) were the predictors of self‐medication practice. This study showed that self‐medication was not widely practiced by pregnant women in the northern region of Jordan. Disease simplicity and previous history were the main motives for self‐medicating. Efforts should be made by health‐care providers to address pregnant women and educate them to increase their awareness about the unsafe use of medicines and the harmful effects on fetus.

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Self-medication in older European adults: Prevalence and predictive factors

Cited by 35 publications

References 34 publications

Consumption of over-the-Counter Drugs: Prevalence and Type of Drugs

Consumption of over-the-Counter Drugs: Prevalence and Type of Drugs

An Update on Medication Use in Older Adults: a Narrative Review

Self‐medication among pregnant women attending outpatients' clinics in northern Jordan‐a cross‐sectional study

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