SELF-MEDICATION IN INDIVIDUALS WITH OSTEOARTHRITIS ASSISTED IN A PRIMARY CARE FACILITY

Abstract

Introduction: Osteoarthritis is considered one of the most symptomatically complex musculoskeletal disorders. Affected individuals often use self-medication as a more accessible and practical method to alleviate their symptoms. However, this act can promote unnecessary spending, as well as delay in diagnosis and treatment. Objective: To verify the prevalence of self-medication in patients with osteoarthritis, and perform a comparative analysis between these individuals and those who do not self-medicate. The analysis addressed topics concerning personal features, pathology and self-medication profile. Material and Methods: A total of 58 individuals with osteoarthritis were divided into two groups according to self-medication. Volunteers answered a questionnaire addressing the study population profile, characteristics of the disease and self-medication habits. Weight, height, abdominal circumference, waist circumference and hip circumference were evaluated. Descriptive statistics, Goodman test and Student’s t test were used for statistical analysis, with p <0.05. Results: 60.4% of the volunteers reported the habit of self-medication. In this population, osteoarthritis was diagnosed in more than one joint (48.7%), with greater constant, nocturnal pain. There were no differences between groups concerning anatomical sites, used drugs, visual analogic scale (VAS) values and socioeconomic profile. The volunteers who self-medicate showed lower weight, height and waist circumference measurements. There were no associations between the groups and the VAS values and socioeconomic class. Conclusions: A high prevalence of self-medication was found. The individuals who self-medicate showed pain levels between 6 and 8. They usually take analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs, followed by various techniques for pain control. There was no association between self-medication and the pain scale values and socioeconomic class. DESCRIPTORS Osteoarthritis. Public Health. Self Medication. Arthralgia.