Self-Medication With Over-the-Counter Analgesics: A Survey of Patient Characteristics and Concerns About Pain Medication

Mehuys, E.; Crombez, G.; Paemeleire, K.; Adriaens, E.; Van Hees, Thierry; Demarche, Sabine; Christiaens, T.; Van Bortel, L.; Van Tongelen, I.; Remon, J.-P.; Boussery, K.

doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2018.09.003

Article (Scientific journals)

Self-Medication With Over-the-Counter Analgesics: A Survey of Patient Characteristics and Concerns About Pain Medication

Mehuys, E.; Crombez, G.; Paemeleire, K. et al.

2019 • In Journal of Pain, 20 (2), p. 215-223

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

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https://hdl.handle.net/2268/234996

DOI
10.1016/j.jpain.2018.09.003

PubMed
30273688

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Keywords :

Pain; Article

Abstract :

[en] Pain is a common reason for self-medication with over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics. However, this self-treating population has remained largely uncharacterized. This cross-sectional observational study investigated individuals who self-medicate their pain with OTC analgesics to elucidate their pain characteristics and medication use. In addition, presence of and risk factors for concerns about pain medication were examined. The clinical profile of the participants (n = 1,889) was worse than expected with long-standing pain complaints (median pain duration of 9 years), pain located at multiple body sites (median of 4, and 13% with ≥10 painful body areas), about one-third suffering from daily pain and about 40% experiencing substantial pain-related disability. Head (58.6% of sample), low back (43.6%), and neck (30.7%) were the most common pain locations. About 73% had a physician diagnosis, mainly migraine and osteoarthritis. Paracetamol (used by 68.6% of patients) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (46.8%) were the most frequently used pain medications. About 40% of our sample showed substantial concern about the perceived need for pain medication and the perceived potential for harmful effects (eg, fear for addiction). These findings highlight the importance for health professionals to systematically probe pain patients about their self-medication practices and explore attitudes about pain medication. Perspective: This study found that the clinical picture of people who self-medicate their pain with OTC analgesics looked worse than expected. We also identified substantial concerns about pain medication. Therefore, we recommend that health professionals systematically probe pain patients about their self-medication practices and explore concerns about pain medication. © 2018 the American Pain Society

Disciplines :

Pharmacy, pharmacology & toxicology

Author, co-author :

Mehuys, E.; Pharmaceutical Care Unit, Belgium

Crombez, G.; Department of Experimental-Clinical and Health Psychology, Belgium

Paemeleire, K.; Department of Neurology, Ghent University Hospital, Belgium

Adriaens, E.; Adriaens Consulting, Aalter, Belgium

Van Hees, Thierry ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de pharmacie > Pharmacie clinique et pharmacie hospitalière

Demarche, Sabine ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de physique > Département de physique

Christiaens, T.; Heymans Institute of Pharmacology, Ghent University, Belgium

Van Bortel, L.; Heymans Institute of Pharmacology, Ghent University, Belgium

Van Tongelen, I.; Pharmaceutical Care Unit, Belgium

Remon, J.-P.; Pharmaceutical Care Unit, Belgium

Boussery, K.; Pharmaceutical Care Unit, Belgium

Language :

English

Title :

Self-Medication With Over-the-Counter Analgesics: A Survey of Patient Characteristics and Concerns About Pain Medication

Publication date :

2019

Journal title :

Journal of Pain

ISSN :

1526-5900

eISSN :

1528-8447

Publisher :

Churchill Livingstone Inc.

Volume :

Issue :

Pages :

215-223

Peer reviewed :

Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi

Available on ORBi :

since 01 May 2019

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