[Evaluation of self-medication by scuba divers].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to evaluate drug use amongst French scuba divers.


METHODS
An anonymous questionnaire was distributed to 220 people, out of which 106 responded.


RESULTS
Fifteen percent of respondents were receiving long-term medication whereas 60.33% of respondents reported taking medication only occasionally when diving. Thirty-seven percent of respondents were taking prescribed medicines. Drugs consumed occasionally included analgesics (43.5%), corticosteroids (14.5%) and antiemetics. A detailed study of aspirin and steroid consumption revealed their misuse for performance-enhancing purposes, the level of risk varying with the type of diving activity. The influence of drug use on personal performance was recognised by 72.6% of divers, but only 59.4% considered that they were putting themselves at risk by self-medicating.
Fraisse
Thibaut
T
Service de Médecine Interne Gériatrique, CHU Caremeau, Nimes, France.
Nicolas
Balmes
B
de Wazières
Benoît
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004242:Diving; D004300:Doping in Sports; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012651:Self Medication; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires