PURPOSE: To determine the frequency of use of the three main classes of over-the-counter analgesics: acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and aspirin in two large US female cohorts. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of the frequency of analgesic use and the characteristics of users in female participants in the Nurses Health Study I (n = 86,985) and the Nurses Health Study II (n = 93,002) who were between the ages of 33 and 77 years. Information on frequency of current analgesic use was assessed by mailed questionnaire. RESULTS: All three classes of analgesics were used frequently. For example, acetaminophen was used > or = 1 day/week by more than 20% of women. NSAIDs were used > or = 1 day/week by 42% of women aged 51 years or younger, and aspirin was used > or = 6 days/week by 25% women over age 51 years. The frequency of use of the individual analgesics varied by age (p < 0.001). In addition, women in the highest category of use of any of the analgesics tended to have a higher body mass index, were more likely to have hypertension and diabetes, and were more likely to be current smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Analgesic use is very common among US women. Physicians should be cognizant of the frequency of use of the various over-the-counter analgesics in their female patient population.
PURPOSE: To determine the frequency of use of the three main classes of over-the-counter analgesics: acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and aspirin in two large US female cohorts. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of the frequency of analgesic use and the characteristics of users in female participants in the Nurses Health Study I (n = 86,985) and the Nurses Health Study II (n = 93,002) who were between the ages of 33 and 77 years. Information on frequency of current analgesic use was assessed by mailed questionnaire. RESULTS: All three classes of analgesics were used frequently. For example, acetaminophen was used > or = 1 day/week by more than 20% of women. NSAIDs were used > or = 1 day/week by 42% of women aged 51 years or younger, and aspirin was used > or = 6 days/week by 25% women over age 51 years. The frequency of use of the individual analgesics varied by age (p < 0.001). In addition, women in the highest category of use of any of the analgesics tended to have a higher body mass index, were more likely to have hypertension and diabetes, and were more likely to be current smokers. CONCLUSIONS: Analgesic use is very common among US women. Physicians should be cognizant of the frequency of use of the various over-the-counter analgesics in their female patient population.
Authors: Kristen A Johnson; Lindsey A Sjaarda; Sunni L Mumford; Rebecca A Garbose; Karen C Schliep; Donald Mattison; Neil J Perkins; Jean Wactawski-Wende; Enrique F Schisterman Journal: Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf Date: 2016-03-08 Impact factor: 2.890
Authors: Digna R Velez Edwards; Tiara Aldridge; Donna D Baird; Michele Jonsson Funk; David A Savitz; Katherine E Hartmann Journal: Obstet Gynecol Date: 2012-07 Impact factor: 7.661