Table 4.
Recommended information to be provided to patient about analgesic use
| Information | Number and percentage of respondentsa,b (n = 199) | Number and percentage of respondentsa,b (n = 70) | Signif. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 2013 | ||||||
| n | % | 95 % CI | n | % | 95 % CI | ||
| Dosing advice | |||||||
| Taking medication regularly by clock | 126 | 63 | 56–70 | 27 | 39 | 28–50 | <0.001 |
| Use analgesics pre-emptively (e.g. before playing bowls or before strenuous exercise) | 33 | 17 | 12–22 | 6 | 9 | 4–17 | 0.150 |
| NSAID to be taken on an ‘as required’ basis | 24 | 12 | 8–17 | 5 | 7 | 3–16 | 0.359 |
| When and how to take analgesics on an ‘as required’ basis | 13 | 7 | 4–11 | 3 | 4 | 1–12 | 0.697 |
| NSAID to be taken with or after food | 12 | 6 | 3–10 | 3 | 4 | 1–12 | 0.807 |
| Maximum of 4 g of paracetamol in a day | 7 | 4 | 2–7 | 1 | 1 | 0–8 | 0.634 |
| Ensure adequate dosage of analgesics is taken | 7 | 4 | 2–7 | 6 | 9 | 4–17 | 0.170 |
| Paracetamol Slow Release offers a more convenient option if preferred | 7 | 4 | 2–7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.249 |
| Use lowest effective dose | 6 | 3 | 1–6 | 6 | 9 | 4–17 | 0.110 |
| Awareness and management of adverse effects | |||||||
| Adverse effects of medications (in general) | 35 | 18 | 13–23 | 5 | 7 | 3–16 | 0.055 |
| Adverse effects of NSAIDs (e.g. gastrointestinal bleeding, increased blood pressure) | 32 | 16 | 12–22 | 20 | 29 | 19–40 | 0.038 |
| Potential opioid-induced constipation and strategy for managing constipation | 30 | 15 | 11–21 | 6 | 9 | 4–17 | 0.242 |
| Adverse effects of codeine (e.g. constipation, risk of dependency) | 9 | 5 | 2–8 | 11 | 16 | 9–26 | 0.005 |
| Risk of drowsiness with opioid medications | 6 | 3 | 1–6 | 3 | 4 | 1–12 | 0.610 |
| Follow-up | |||||||
| Regular follow-up to assess efficacy and titrate doses | 23 | 12 | 8–17 | 5 | 7 | 3–16 | 0.416 |
| Potential drug interactions | |||||||
| Avoid other preparations containing paracetamol | 10 | 5 | 3–9 | 1 | 1 | 0–8 | 0.339 |
| Drug interactions (in general) | 6 | 3 | 1–6 | 1 | 1 | 0–8 | 0.779 |
| Check with health professional before taking over-the-counter medications | 5 | 3 | 1–6 | 2 | 3 | 1–10 | 0.779 |
| Role and place of different analgesics | |||||||
| Options of stronger analgesics if required in future | 18 | 9 | 6–14 | 22 | 31 | 22–43 | <0.001 |
| Paracetamol is the safest option | 13 | 7 | 4–11 | 18 | 26 | 17–37 | <0.001 |
aRespondents may have more than one response
bThere was an occasional missing value