F Markotic1, D Jurisic2, M Curkovic3, M Puljiz4, M Novinscak5, K Bonassin6, D Vrdoljak7, Z Vojvodic8, S Permozer Hajdarovic9, T Pekez-Pavlisko10, M Tomicic11, I Diminic-Lisica12, S Fabris Ivsic6, D Nejasmic13, I Miosic14, I Novak14, L Puljak14. 1. Centre for Clinical Pharmacology, University Clinical Hospital Mostar, Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. 2. Family Medicine Clinic, Lekenik, Croatia. 3. Department of Family Medicine, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek School of Medicine, Osijek, Croatia. 4. Family Medicine Clinic, Health Centre Imotski, Kamenmost, Croatia. 5. Family Medicine Clinic, Cakovec, Croatia. 6. Family Medicine Clinic, Zminj, Croatia. 7. Department of Family Medicine, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia. 8. Family Medicine Clinic, Bijelo Brdo, Croatia. 9. Family Medicine Clinic, Kotoriba, Croatia. 10. Family Medicine Clinic, Kutina, Croatia. 11. Family Medicine Clinic, Split, Croatia. 12. Family Medicine Clinic, Kostrena, Croatia. 13. Department of Physics, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia. 14. Laboratory for Pain Research, University of Split School of Medicine, Split, Croatia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To analyse the frequency of nonrecreational prescription analgesic sharing, associated factors and differences between lenders and borrowers. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 outpatient family medicine practices in Croatia amongst 1000 patients to whom their physicians have prescribed analgesics at least once in their lives. A questionnaire was used to collect data about patients' pain intensity, prescription analgesic sharing habits, factors associated with this behaviour, perception of risks associated with the conduct and demographic data. Logistic regression was conducted to analyse independent factors associated with lending and borrowing prescription analgesics. RESULTS: We found that 61% of patients in family medicine practices engage in sharing prescription analgesics, whether it was lending (42%) and/or borrowing (54%). Independent predictors of lending prescription analgesics were as follows: history of sharing prescription medication other than analgesics, providing information regarding the medication alongside the prescription medication itself, not reading package insert that accompanies medication, subjective perception of personal health and decreased awareness of personal harm associated with prescription analgesic sharing. Independent predictors of prescription analgesic borrowing were as follows: younger age, communicating details regarding the medication that was given, scanning of package insert accompanying the medication, biased subjective perception of personal health and perceiving alternative medicine as a safer option over conventional medicine. CONCLUSIONS: Sharing prescription analgesics is highly prevalent amongst patients in family medicine. Healthcare providers should remain alert by routinely questioning patients regarding such behaviours. Preventive interventions should be conceived and established. SIGNIFICANCE: Sharing of prescription analgesics is a highly prevalent behaviour amongst pain patients, and there exist independent factors associated with such conduct. This information can be useful in the design of interventions aimed at mitigating analgesic sharing behaviour in the future.
OBJECTIVE: To analyse the frequency of nonrecreational prescription analgesic sharing, associated factors and differences between lenders and borrowers. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 outpatient family medicine practices in Croatia amongst 1000 patients to whom their physicians have prescribed analgesics at least once in their lives. A questionnaire was used to collect data about patients' pain intensity, prescription analgesic sharing habits, factors associated with this behaviour, perception of risks associated with the conduct and demographic data. Logistic regression was conducted to analyse independent factors associated with lending and borrowing prescription analgesics. RESULTS: We found that 61% of patients in family medicine practices engage in sharing prescription analgesics, whether it was lending (42%) and/or borrowing (54%). Independent predictors of lending prescription analgesics were as follows: history of sharing prescription medication other than analgesics, providing information regarding the medication alongside the prescription medication itself, not reading package insert that accompanies medication, subjective perception of personal health and decreased awareness of personal harm associated with prescription analgesic sharing. Independent predictors of prescription analgesic borrowing were as follows: younger age, communicating details regarding the medication that was given, scanning of package insert accompanying the medication, biased subjective perception of personal health and perceiving alternative medicine as a safer option over conventional medicine. CONCLUSIONS: Sharing prescription analgesics is highly prevalent amongst patients in family medicine. Healthcare providers should remain alert by routinely questioning patients regarding such behaviours. Preventive interventions should be conceived and established. SIGNIFICANCE: Sharing of prescription analgesics is a highly prevalent behaviour amongst painpatients, and there exist independent factors associated with such conduct. This information can be useful in the design of interventions aimed at mitigating analgesic sharing behaviour in the future.
Authors: Tamasine C Grimes; Sara Garfield; Dervla Kelly; Joan Cahill; Sam Cromie; Carly Wheeler; Bryony Dean Franklin Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2020-11-24 Impact factor: 2.692