Geert Hommez1, B Ongena2, R G E C Cauwels3, P De Paepe4, V Christiaens2, W Jacquet2,5,6. 1. Research Cluster Periodontology, Oral Implantology, Removable and Implant Prosthodontics, Dental School University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Ghent, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Ghent, Belgium. Geert.hommez@uzgent.be. 2. Research Cluster Periodontology, Oral Implantology, Removable and Implant Prosthodontics, Dental School University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Ghent, De Pintelaan 185, 9000, Ghent, Belgium. 3. PaeCoMeDis Research Group, Dep. Paediatric Dentistry, Dental School University Hospital, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Ghent, Ghent, Belgium. 4. Department of Emergency Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium. 5. Oral Health Research Group ORHE, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium. 6. Department of Educational Sciences EDWE-LOCI, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, VUB Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Analgesics are one of the most frequently used medicines. Self-medication and misuse have been described in the literature. The purpose of this study was to document analgesic (mis)use in a population seeking emergency dental treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients consulting a dental emergency service were randomly asked to complete a questionnaire on analgesic use, knowledge and information on the analgesics and on their pain history. A photobook was used as an aid to identify products used. Descriptive statistics were combined with chi-square and Mann-Whitney U testing. RESULTS: Ninety-eight patients were included. Acetaminophen (69.4%) and ibuprofen (65.3%) were the most frequently used products. Nearly half of the subjects (43.9%) combined at least two analgesics. Although 42.9% of subjects were aware of the maximum daily dose, 62.2% of the subjects exceeded this limit, specifically 76.6% of subjects using ibuprofen and 32.4% of subjects using acetaminophen overdosing. Females overdosed significantly more than males. Ingestion on medical advice did not affect the overdose rates significantly. No significant relation was found between the absence of knowledge on the maximum daily dose and actual overdosing. No higher pain reduction was found in patients overdosing analgesics. The average number of days patients experienced pain before consulting the emergency unit was 12. A significant relation was found between the lag time and overdosing. CONCLUSIONS: A large portion of the patients overdosed analgesics. Even prior medical advice did not reduce significantly overdose rates. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dentists treating emergency cases clearly need to be aware of the high risk and high rates of overdosing analgesics in their patients.
OBJECTIVES: Analgesics are one of the most frequently used medicines. Self-medication and misuse have been described in the literature. The purpose of this study was to document analgesic (mis)use in a population seeking emergency dental treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS:Patients consulting a dental emergency service were randomly asked to complete a questionnaire on analgesic use, knowledge and information on the analgesics and on their pain history. A photobook was used as an aid to identify products used. Descriptive statistics were combined with chi-square and Mann-Whitney U testing. RESULTS: Ninety-eight patients were included. Acetaminophen (69.4%) and ibuprofen (65.3%) were the most frequently used products. Nearly half of the subjects (43.9%) combined at least two analgesics. Although 42.9% of subjects were aware of the maximum daily dose, 62.2% of the subjects exceeded this limit, specifically 76.6% of subjects using ibuprofen and 32.4% of subjects using acetaminophenoverdosing. Females overdosed significantly more than males. Ingestion on medical advice did not affect the overdose rates significantly. No significant relation was found between the absence of knowledge on the maximum daily dose and actual overdosing. No higher pain reduction was found in patientsoverdosing analgesics. The average number of days patients experienced pain before consulting the emergency unit was 12. A significant relation was found between the lag time and overdosing. CONCLUSIONS: A large portion of the patients overdosed analgesics. Even prior medical advice did not reduce significantly overdose rates. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dentists treating emergency cases clearly need to be aware of the high risk and high rates of overdosing analgesics in their patients.
Authors: Kennon J Heard; Nicole L Ries; Richard C Dart; Gregory M Bogdan; Richard D Zallen; Frank Daly Journal: BMC Oral Health Date: 2008-12-09 Impact factor: 2.757