A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study of Self-Reported Adherence and Factors Associated with Analgesic Treatment in People with Chronic Pain

Abstract

This study aims to shed light on the frequency and associated factors of self-reported adherence to analgesic treatment among chronic pain (CP) patients in the Spanish population. A nationwide cross-sectional study was performed of 1066 Spanish adults, of whom 251 suffered from CP and 168 had been prescribed analgesic treatment. Adherence was assessed using a self-reported direct questionnaire and related factors were collected. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were conducted. Among the 23.5% (95% CI: 21.0–26.2%) of the sample with CP, 66.9% (95% CI: 60.7–72.7%) were taking analgesic treatment prescribed by a doctor, and 81.0% (95% CI: 74.2–86.6%) said they took the treatment as the doctor indicated. However, 17.6% forgot to take the medication, 11% overused them when in great pain, 46.3% stopped the treatment when feeling better and 33.3% when feeling worse, and 7.3% stopped taking them for financial reasons. Higher intensity of pain, polymedication, administration route (injection/patches) and some patient-related factors were associated with self-perceived adherence to treatment. Most Spanish people with CP consider that they are adherent to their analgesic treatment. However, their behavior presents contradictions. It would be advisable for professionals to inform patients about appropriate behavior regarding their therapy recommendations, and to explore potential factors related to non-adherence. This could contribute to improving pain control.

Reductions in kinesiophobia and distress after pain neuroscience education and exercise lead to favourable outcomes: a secondary mediation analysis of a randomized controlled trial in primary care

“…66,80,91 Similarly, lower healthrelated quality of life is associated with greater kinesiophobia, whereas there is no evidence on the relationship with pain intensity, catastrophizing and CS-related distress. 49 Finally, research has consistently reported that pain medication intake is not only related to pain intensity 2,63 , but also to pain catastrophizing and kinesiophobia. 30,50 In addition, some recent evidence seems to suggest that patients with chronic spinal pain with greater CS-related distress tend to consume more pain medication.…”

Libro Blanco del Dolor Crónico en España

“…Sin embargo, no se han traducido en mejoras suficientes. Las principales barreras para el control del dolor están asociadas a la falta de tiempo para la atención del paciente, la escasa coordinación entre las unidades implicadas en el manejo de estos pacientes, la mala comunicación entre los profesionales sanitarios y la escasa disponibilidad de servicios especializados (Ortega-Jiménez P., et al, 2020).…”

“…Una mejora de la información y formación de los pacientes es otro pilar fundamental en el avance del abordaje del dolor, que puede facilitar la espera hasta ser vistos en UDO, ayudar a priorizar listas de espera y mejorar la adherencia al tratamiento (Ortega-Jiménez P., et al, 2020;Rand L., et al, 2019;Deslauriers S., et al, 2020).…”

Use of analgesics in Denmark: A national survey

“…Only few studies have examined utilization patterns for analgesics from a patient perspective 6,7 . Knowledge on the actual use of analgesics, indications, and patients' experience with adverse effects is thus scarce.…”

“…Only few studies have examined utilization patterns for analgesics from a patient perspective. 6,7 Knowledge on the actual use of analgesics, indications, and patients' experience with adverse effects is thus scarce. The community pharmacy setting provides an excellent opportunity to address these questions by directly asking people redeeming prescriptions for analgesics and those buying over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics.…”