Table 4.
Profile* of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) utilization by occupational category
| Managerial liberal prof. (902) | Education healthcare technicians (1240) | Services commerce (1882) | Labour drivers (1494) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Categories of NSAID utilization (%)† | ||||
| All AINS | ||||
| Punctual | 66.3 | 61.5 | 56.1 | 55.6 |
| Intermittent | 15.0 | 16.1 | 17.0 | 18.2 |
| Chronic | 13.9 | 14.7 | 16.5 | 16.6 |
| Continuous | 4.8 | 7.7 | 10.4 | 9.7 |
| Nonselective NSAIDs | ||||
| Punctual | 69.1 | 63.9 | 61.2 | 59.1 |
| Intermittent | 12.5 | 14.1 | 15.6 | 16.0 |
| Chronic | 10.7 | 11.2 | 12.3 | 13.8 |
| Continuous | 2.1 | 4.8 | 6.5 | 6.6 |
| COX-2 selective inhibitors | ||||
| Punctual | 13.5 | 12.9 | 14.7 | 12.3 |
| Intermittent | 1.0 | 1.3 | 1.6 | 1.3 |
| Chronic | 3.1 | 3.2 | 3.7 | 3.1 |
| Continuous | 1.8 | 2.1 | 2.5 | 2.0 |
*
Categories of NSAID utilization defined by number of prescription reimbursed during one year: Punctual, 1–3; Intermittent, 4–9 with at least one 2-month prescription-free interval; Chronic, 4–9 with intervals between any two <2 months; Continuous, ≥10 prescriptions.
†
Percentages are not mutually exclusive; column total may add to >100%.