title: Patient characteristics among users of analgesic over-the-counter aspirin in a Danish pharmacy setting.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Use of over-the-counter (OTC) high-dose acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is a risk factor for experiencing gastric bleeding. However, more detailed knowledge on the characteristics of users of OTC ASA is needed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To characterise users of OTC high-dose ASA in a Danish pharmacy setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted an interview based survey among users of OTC high-dose ASA. Questions were asked regarding: (1) demographic characteristics; (2) use patterns; (3) knowledge about adverse events; (4) risk factors for experiencing gastric bleeding; (5) reasons for choosing an ASA-containing medicine; and (6) whether their GP was informed on their use of high-dose ASA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One-hundred-seventeen interviews were completed. Nineteen percent and 37 % used high-dose ASA on a daily or weekly basis respectively. Sixty-eighth percent found high-dose ASA to be more effective than other analgesics. Fourty-seven percent had one or more risk factors for experiencing ulcer bleeding, most commonly age >60 years (32 %) and previous peptic ulcer (9 %). The most well-known adverse events were abdominal pain (32 %) and peptic ulcer (26 %). The most common source of information was friends and family (32 %).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A large proportion of users of high-dose ASA have risk factors for experiencing gastric bleeding. Health-care professionals needs to provide more information on potential adverse events.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Pharmacology, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, JB Winsløwsvej 19, 2, 5000, Odense C, Denmark, apottegaard@health.sdu.dk.
authors.forename: Anton
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pottegård
authors.forename: Ann-Katrine
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Kviesgaard
authors.forename: Ulrik
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hesse
authors.forename: Søren Ilsøe
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.forename: Jane Møller
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Hansen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D063046:Patient Medication Knowledge; D010437:Peptic Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D010438:Peptic Ulcer Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D010594:Pharmacies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012651:Self Medication / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D001241:Aspirin