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Persistent use of analgesic medications in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease

Adeline Gallini1, Virginie Gardette, Bruno Vellas

  • 1Inserm, UMR1027, 31062, Toulouse, France. adeline.gallini@univ-tlse3.fr

Drugs & Aging
|March 21, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Persistent analgesic use is low in Alzheimer

Area of Science:

  • Geriatric Medicine
  • Neurology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Previous research indicates reduced analgesic use in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients compared to non-AD elderly.
  • No prior studies have specifically investigated persistent analgesic use in mild-to-moderate AD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence and incidence of persistent analgesic use in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease.
  • To identify factors associated with persistent analgesic use in this patient population.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the Réseau sur la maladie d'Alzheimer Français (REAL.FR) cohort study.
  • Defined persistent analgesic use as consuming at least one analgesic during two consecutive 6-month visits.
  • Employed a nested case-control study design to identify associated factors.

Main Results:

  • The prevalence of persistent analgesic use was 13.1% among 595 mild-to-moderate AD patients.
  • Incidence was 5.9 per 100 patient-years.
  • Factors associated with persistent use included being female, having musculoskeletal disorders, and polypharmacy. Associations were noted with disease duration and progression, but not baseline severity.

Conclusions:

  • Analgesic use remains low in Alzheimer's disease patients.
  • Persistent analgesic consumption may be influenced by disease progression.

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