Assessment of Preferences in Taking Painkillers among Students of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy: A Pilot Study
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Study Groups
2.2. Survey Design
2.3. Ethical Issues
2.4. Statistical Analysis
3. Results
3.1. Comparison of the Use of Analgesics among Students of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy
3.2. Relationship between the Year of Study and the Use of Analgesics
3.3. Correlation between the Field of Study and the Experience of Pain of Dental Origin and Its Control
3.4. Correlation between Gender and Taking Painkillers among Students of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Supplementary Materials
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Parameters | All Students | Medicine Students | Dental Students | Pharmacy Students | p Value |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Number of individuals, n (%) | 382 | 153 (40.0) | 115 (30.1) | 114 (29.8) | |
Gender: | 0.000 a | ||||
Female, n (%) | 303 (79.1) | 106 (34.9) | 97 (32.0) | 100 (33.0) | |
Male, n (%) | 79 (20.6) | 47 (59.4) | 18 (22.7) | 14 (17.7) | |
Frequency of painkillers application, n (%) | 0.034 b | ||||
More than once a week | 15 (3.9) | 11 (7.1) | 2 (1.7) | 2 (1.7) | |
Once a week | 59 (15.4) | 21 (13.7) | 24 (20.8) | 14 (12.2) | |
Once a month | 180 (47.1) | 63 (41.1) | 58 (50.4) | 59 (51.7) | |
Less than once a month | 128 (33.5) | 58 (37.9) | 31 (26.9) | 39 (34.2) | |
Pain threshold at which you use a painkiller, n (%): | 0.547 b | ||||
To prevent expected pain | 3 (0.7) | 0 (0.0) | 2 (1.7) | 1 (0.8) | |
Mild pain | 3 (0.7) | 2 (1.3) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (0.8) | |
Moderate pain | 109 (28.5) | 45 (29.4) | 32 (27.8) | 32 (28.0) | |
Severe pain | 182 (47.6) | 77 (50.3) | 56 (48.7) | 49 (42.9) | |
Unbearable pain | 85 (22.2) | 29 (18.9) | 25 (21.7) | 31 (27.1) | |
Do you comply with recommended doses of a drug, n (%)? | 0.152 b | ||||
No | 2 (0.5) | 1 (0.6) | 1 (0.8) | 0 (0.0) | |
Rather no | 9 (2.3) | 7 (4.5) | 1 (0.8) | 1 (0.8) | |
Rather yes | 88 (23.0) | 30 (19.6) | 33 (28.7) | 25 (21.9) | |
Yes | 283 (74.0) | 115 (75.1) | 80 (69.5) | 88 (77.1) | |
What is the most important for you when choosing a painkiller, n (%)? | 0.008 b | ||||
Fast onset of action | 179 (46.8) | 60 (39.2) | 68 (59.1) | 51 (44.7) | |
Drug potency | 125 (32.7) | 52 (33.9) | 26 (22.6) | 47 (41.2) | |
no side effects | 22 (5.7) | 11 (7.1) | 7 (6.0) | 4 (3.5) | |
duration of analgesic effect | 30 (7.8) | 19 (12.4) | 5 (4.3) | 6 (5.2) | |
drug availability | 20 (5.2) | 10 (6.5) | 7 (6.0) | 3 (2.6) | |
price | 6 (1.5) | 1 (0.6) | 2 (1.7) | 3 (2.6) | |
Do you have contraindications to the use of painkillers, n (%)? | 0.845 a | ||||
no | 359 (93.9) | 144 (94.1) | 109 (94.7) | 106 (92.9) | |
yes | 23 (6.0) | 9 (5.8) | 6 (5.2) | 8 (7.0) | |
Are you concerned about side effects when using mild painkillers, n (%)? | 0.047 a | ||||
no | 284 (74.3) | 111 (72.5) | 79 (68.7) | 94 (82.4) | |
yes | 98 (25.6) | 42 (27.4) | 36 (31.3) | 20 (17.5) | |
Which drug do you use in case of acute pain, n (%)? | 0.027 b | ||||
ibuprofen | 221 (57.8) | 77 (50.3) | 75 (65.2) | 69 (60.5) | |
acetaminophen | 102 (26.7) | 49 (32.0) | 29 (25.2) | 24 (21.0) | |
metamizole | 37 (9.6) | 21 (13.7) | 5 (4.3) | 11 (13.7) | |
acetaminophen combined with opioid | 21 (5.4) | 6 (3.9) | 6 (5.2) | 9 (7.8) | |
aspirin | 1 (0.2) | 0 (0.0) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (0.8) | |
Do you consider advertisements when choosing painkillers, n (%)? | 0.787 b 0.924 b | ||||
no, never | 353 (92.4) | 143 (93.4) | 106 (92.1) | 104 (91.2) | |
yes: | 29 (7.5) | 10 (6.5) | 9 (7.8) | 10 (8.7) | |
sometimes | 25 (6.5) | 9 (5.8) | 7 (6.0) | 9 (7.8) | |
often | 3 (0.7) | 1 (0.6) | 1 (0.8) | 1 (0.8) | |
always | 1 (0.2) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (0.8) | 1 (0.8) | |
Where do you get information about individual painkillers from, n (%)? | 0.001 a | ||||
studies curriculum | 176 (46.0) | 80 (52.2) | 36 (31.3) | 60 (52.6) | |
drug leaflet | 97 (25.3) | 37 (24.1) | 33 (28.7) | 27 (23.6) | |
doctors and pharmacists | 40 (10.4) | 13 (8.5) | 16 (13.9) | 11 (9.6) | |
the Internet, | 42 (10.9) | 16 (10.4) | 13 (11.3) | 13 (11.4) | |
friends and family | 27 (7.0) | 7 (4.5) | 17 (14.7) | 3 (2.6) | |
What is the most common side effect of painkillers, n (%)? | 0.741 b | ||||
gastrointestinal complaints, | 333 (87.1) | 138 (90.2) | 97 (84.3) | 98 (85.9) | |
headaches and dizziness, | 30 (7.8) | 9 (5.8) | 11 (9.5) | 10 (8.7) | |
urticaria, | 12 (3.1) | 3 (1.9) | 5 (4.3) | 4 (3.5) | |
anaphylactic shock, | 4 (1.0) | 1 (0.6) | 1 (0.8) | 2 (1.7) | |
excessive sweating | 3 (0.7) | 2 (1.3) | 1 (0.8) | 0 (0.0) | |
Have you experienced toothache, n (%)? | 0.000 a | ||||
yes | 279 (73.0) | 122 (79.7) | 66 (57.3) | 91 (79.8) | |
no | 103 (26.9) | 31 (20.2) | 49 (42.6) | 23 (20.1) | |
What over-the-counter medicine would you recommend for toothache, n (%)? | 0.080 b | ||||
Ibuprofen | 213 (55.7) | 73 (47.7) | 70 (60.8) | 70 (61.4) | |
Acetaminophen | 88 (23.0) | 42 (27.4) | 27 (23.4) | 19 (16.6) | |
No OTC drug. A prescription drug would be my first choice | 30 (7.8) | 15 (9.8) | 5 (4.3) | 10 (8.7) | |
I would not recommend any OTC drug | 22 (5.7) | 9 (5.8) | 8 (6.9) | 5 (4.3) | |
Metamizole, | 25 (6.5) | 14 (9.1) | 4 (3.4) | 7 (6.1) | |
Aspirin | 4 (1.0) | 0 (0.0) | 1 (0.8) | 3 (2.6) | |
What prescription drug would you recommend for dental pain, n (%)? | 0.003 b | ||||
Ketoprofen | 189 (49.4) | 85 (55.5) | 47 (40.8) | 57 (50.0) | |
Nimesulide | 104 (27.2) | 27 (17.6) | 46 (40.0) | 31 (27.1) | |
Tramadol | 31 (8.1) | 16 (10.4) | 5 (4.3) | 10 (8.7) | |
I wouldn’t choose a prescription drug | 49 (12.8) | 19 (12.4) | 17 (14.7) | 13 (11.4) | |
Celecoxib | 9 (2.3) | 6 (3.9) | 0 (0.0) | 3 (2.6) |
Parameters | Students of ≥4th Year | Students of ≤3rd Year | p Value |
---|---|---|---|
Frequency of painkillers application: | 0.016 a | ||
More than once a week | 13 (6.0) | 2 (1.2) | |
Once a week | 26 (12.0) | 33 (19.7) | |
Once a month | 107 (49.7) | 73 (43.7) | |
Less than once a month | 69 (32.0) | 59 (35.3) | |
Pain threshold at which you use a painkiller: | 0.087 b | ||
To prevent expected pain | 2 (0.9) | 1 (0.6) | |
Mild pain | 2 (0.9) | 1 (0.6) | |
Moderate pain | 61 (28.3) | 48 (28.7) | |
Severe pain | 106 (49.3) | 76 (45.5) | |
Unbearable pain | 44 (20.4) | 41 (24.5) | |
Do you comply with recommended doses of a drug? | 0.697 b | ||
No | 2 (0.9) | 0 (0.0) | |
Rather not | 4 (1.8) | 5 (2.9) | |
Rather yes | 50 (23.2) | 38 (22.7) | |
Yes | 159 (73.9) | 124 (74.2) | |
What is the most important for you when choosing a painkiller? | 0.161 b | ||
Fast onset of action | 98 (45.5) | 81 (48.5) | |
analgesic drug potency | 78 (36.2) | 47 (28.1) | |
no side-effects | 15 (6.9) | 7 (6.5) | |
duration of analgesic effect | 14 (6.5) | 16 (9.5) | |
drug availability | 8 (3.7) | 12 (7.1) | |
price | 2 (0.9) | 4 (2.4) | |
Do you have contraindications to the use of painkillers? | 0.185 a | ||
no | 199 (92.5) | 160 (95.8) | |
yes | 16 (7.4) | 7 (4.1) | |
Are you concerned about side effects when using mild painkillers? | 0.501 a | ||
No | 157 (73.0) | 127 (76.0) | |
Yes | 58 (26.9) | 40 (23.9) | |
What drug do you use in case of acute pain? | 0.156 b | ||
ibuprofen | 129 (60.0) | 92 (55.0) | |
acetaminophen | 51 (23.7) | 51 (30.5) | |
metamizole | 25 (11.6) | 12 (7.1) | |
acetaminophen combined with opioid | 9 (4.1) | 12 (7.1) | |
aspirin | 1 (0.4) | 0 (0.0) | |
Do you consider advertisement when choosing painkillers? | |||
no, never | 202 (93.9) | 151 (90.4) | 0.443 b |
yes | 13 (6.0) | 16 (9.5) | 0.195 b |
sometimes | 12 (5.5) | 13 (7.7) | |
often | 1 (0.4) | 2 (1.2) | |
always | 0 (0.0) | 1 (0.6) | |
Where do you get information about individual painkillers from? | 0.000 a | ||
studies curriculum | 119 (55.3) | 57 (34.1) | |
drug leaflet | 50 (23.2) | 47 (28.1) | |
doctors and pharmacists | 16 (7.4) | 24 (14.3) | |
the Internet | 24 (11.1) | 18 (10.7) | |
friends and family | 6 (2.7) | 21 (12.5) | |
What is the most common side effect of painkillers? | 0.000 a | ||
gastrointestinal complaints | 197 (91.6) | 136 (81.4) | |
headaches and dizziness | 6 (2.7) | 24 (14.3) | |
urticaria | 10 (4.6) | 2 (1.2) | |
anaphylactic shock | 0 (0.0) | 4 (2.4) | |
excessive sweating | 2 (0.9) | 1 (0.6) | |
Have you experienced toothache? | 0.102 a | ||
yes | 150 (69.7) | 129 (77.2) | |
no | 65 (30.2) | 38 (22.7) | |
What over-the-counter medicine would you recommend for toothache? | 0.030 b | ||
Ibuprofen | 128 (59.5) | 85 (50.9) | |
Acetaminophen | 48 (22.3) | 40 (23.9) | |
No OTC drugs, a prescription drug would be my first choice | 16 (7.4) | 14 (8.3) | |
I would not recommend any | 6 (2.7) | 16 (9.5) | |
Metamizole, | 13 (6.0) | 12 (7.1) | |
Aspirin | 4 (1.8) | 0 (0.0) | |
What prescription drug would you recommend for dental pain? | 0.000 b | ||
Ketoprofen, | 105 (48.8) | 84 (50.3) | |
Nimesulide, | 75 (34.8) | 29 (17.3) | |
Tramadol, | 14 (6.5) | 17 (10.1) | |
I wouldn’t choose a prescription drug, | 16 (7.4) | 33 (19.7) | |
Celecoxib | 5 (2.3) | 4 (2.4) |
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Samorek, W.; Przylepa, J.; Urbaniak, J.; Rogala, A.; Pilimon, A.; Błochowiak, K.; Błochowiak, K. Assessment of Preferences in Taking Painkillers among Students of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy: A Pilot Study. Healthcare 2024, 12, 196. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12020196
Samorek W, Przylepa J, Urbaniak J, Rogala A, Pilimon A, Błochowiak K, Błochowiak K. Assessment of Preferences in Taking Painkillers among Students of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy: A Pilot Study. Healthcare. 2024; 12(2):196. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12020196
Chicago/Turabian StyleSamorek, Wiktoria, Joanna Przylepa, Joanna Urbaniak, Aleksandra Rogala, Anna Pilimon, Krzysztof Błochowiak, and Katarzyna Błochowiak. 2024. "Assessment of Preferences in Taking Painkillers among Students of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmacy: A Pilot Study" Healthcare 12, no. 2: 196. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12020196