[Consumption of oral analgesics and dosage forms in elderly patients: population-based study].
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to describe the consumption of oral analgesics (OA) in people aged inverted exclamation >or= 65 years, and distinguish between easy-to-swallow (ETS) formulations and solid forms.


METHODS
Real data study with a cross sectional design. Electronic anonymous medical records of one year of primary care activity (July 2007-June 2008) were retrospectively reviewed.


METHODS
patients aged inverted exclamation >or= 65 years receiving OA. Subgroups: institutionalized/non institutionalized. It was considered the oral analgesics use as a principal variable.


METHODS
socio-demographic, pharmaceutical formulations (solid and ETS), co morbidities, type of analgesics, geriatric scales (Minimental, Barthel) and poly-medication. Multiple logistic regression analysis models were applied. Program SPSSWIN, statistical signification p < 0.05.


RESULTS
Overall 78 % patients regularly consumed OA. 11,344 patients were studied; mean age 75.1 +/- 7 years; female 61.5 %. Two percent of patients were institutionalized and were older (OR = 1.2), predominantly female (OR = 1.3), had more co morbidity (OR = 3.5; p < 0.001) and lower geriatric scale scores. OA were 13.8 % of total drug consumption (CI 95 %, 13.2-14.4 %); NSAIDs 69.5 % and opioids 17.6 %. Poly-medication 90.6 % (96 % institutionalized vs. 90.5 % non institutionalized; p = 0.019). 31.1 % of patients used ETS whose use was associated with stroke (OR = 2.7), neuropathy (OR = 2.4; p < 0.001) and urinary incontinence. Institutionalized patients consumption of paracetamol, tramadol and aceclofenac was higher (54.3 %, 19 % and 7.6 %, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The use of OA was high, particularly in institutionalized patients. NSAIDs use was higher than expected compared to opioids that were lower than expected. The use of ETS analgesics was lower than expected given the reduced swallowing capacity of elderly patients.
Sicras-Mainar
Antoni
A
Dirección de Planificación, Badalona Serveis Assistencials, Badalona, Barcelona, España. asicras@bsa.cat
de Cambra-Florensa
Salomé
S
Navarro-Artieda
Ruth
R
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004304:Dosage Forms; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D009294:Narcotics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010045:Outpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019338:Polypharmacy; D013030:Spain
D000700:Analgesics; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D004304:Dosage Forms; D009294:Narcotics