Regular Use of Oral Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs in a Population of Polish Seniors: Findings from the PolSenior2 Cross-Sectional Survey.

Abstract

Introduction: Older adults represent a growing proportion of the general population. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) constitute a group of medicines that are both necessary, owing to their anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and cardioprotective abilities, and potentially harmful, owing to their side effects.

Objectives: This study provides a comprehensive analysis of NSAID usage patterns among Polish adults aged 60 years and older. It focused on the regular use (≥ three times per week) of two types of NSAIDs: acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and non-ASA NSAIDs, examining consumption on the basis of age, sex, educational level, and place of residence.

Methods: Data were collected from the PolSenior2 study, a national cross-sectional survey of 5987 Polish individuals aged 60-106 years, conducted from 2018 to 2019.

Results: The study found that 30.7% [95% confidence interval (CI) 28.8-32.7)]of Polish seniors regularly used NSAIDs, with 26.2% (95% CI 24.5-28.0) regularly using ASA, 6.3% (95% CI 5.3-7.2) regularly using non-ASA NSAIDs, and 1.9% (95% CI 1.4-2.3) reporting regular use of both. An age-related increase in regular NSAID use, including ASA, was observed. Women were more likely than men to use non-ASA NSAIDs regularly, whereas men in the 70-79 age group were more likely to use ASA. A lower level of education was associated with more frequent NSAID use.

Conclusions: The findings have implications for healthcare practitioners and policymakers, emphasizing the need for careful management of NSAID use. The study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of NSAID usage and underscores the necessity for tailored healthcare strategies to ensure safe and effective medication use among older adults.