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Nonprescription use of pain relievers by middle-aged and elderly community-living adults: National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Blazer, DG; Wu, L-T
Published in: J Am Geriatr Soc
July 2009

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the frequency, distribution, and correlates of nonprescription use of pain relievers by middle-aged and elderly persons in the United States. DESIGN: Cross-sectional data analysis of a national community survey. SETTING: The 2005 and 2006 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health. PARTICIPANTS: Ten thousand nine hundred fifty-three respondents aged 50 and older (6,717 aged 50-64 and 4,236 aged > or = 65). MEASUREMENTS: Social and demographic variables, detailed assessment of nonprescription use (and abuse) of prescription pain relievers (e.g., acetaminophen with codeine, morphine), substance use, major depression, self-reported medical illnesses, and self-rated health. RESULTS: A small proportion of the sample (1.4%) reported nonprescription use of prescription pain relievers during the previous year. Combinations of acetaminophen and hydrocodone or propoxyphene were the most commonly used drugs. Use was associated with younger age (odds ratio (OR)=2.39, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.31-4.36), American Indian and Alaska native (OR=8.78, 95% CI=2.50-30.85), and use of marijuana (OR=7.07, 95% CI=3.99-12.53). Fewer than 10% of nonprescription users were abusing these medications or dependent upon them. CONCLUSION: In a representative sample of middle-aged and older adults, nonprescription use of prescription pain relievers is relatively uncommon, but the much higher use by middle-aged adults suggests that, as this cohort ages, the problem may increase in elderly people.

Duke Scholars

Published In

J Am Geriatr Soc

DOI

EISSN

1532-5415

Publication Date

July 2009

Volume

57

Issue

7

Start / End Page

1252 / 1257

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Substance-Related Disorders
  • Risk Factors
  • Prevalence
  • Pain
  • Nonprescription Drugs
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Logistic Models
 

Citation

APA
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ICMJE
MLA
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Blazer, D. G., & Wu, L.-T. (2009). Nonprescription use of pain relievers by middle-aged and elderly community-living adults: National Survey on Drug Use and Health. J Am Geriatr Soc, 57(7), 1252–1257. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2009.02306.x
Blazer, Dan G., and Li-Tzy Wu. “Nonprescription use of pain relievers by middle-aged and elderly community-living adults: National Survey on Drug Use and Health.J Am Geriatr Soc 57, no. 7 (July 2009): 1252–57. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-5415.2009.02306.x.
Blazer, Dan G., and Li-Tzy Wu. “Nonprescription use of pain relievers by middle-aged and elderly community-living adults: National Survey on Drug Use and Health.J Am Geriatr Soc, vol. 57, no. 7, July 2009, pp. 1252–57. Pubmed, doi:10.1111/j.1532-5415.2009.02306.x.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Am Geriatr Soc

DOI

EISSN

1532-5415

Publication Date

July 2009

Volume

57

Issue

7

Start / End Page

1252 / 1257

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • United States
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Substance-Related Disorders
  • Risk Factors
  • Prevalence
  • Pain
  • Nonprescription Drugs
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Logistic Models