Use of over-the-counter analgesics among young adults with low back pain: a descriptive study

Background
Use of over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics among patients with low back pain (LBP) exceeds guideline recommendations. It is unclear to what extent LBP contributes to the usage pattern in young adults.

Questions
What is the prevalence of frequent users of LBP related OTC medications among young adults? What is the prevalence of young adults receiving prescriptions for medication for LBP?

Methods
This is an online survey comprising bachelor-students reporting LBP within the latest 14 days. Participants replying yes to use OTC in the last 6 months were asked to their use in the categories ‘more than once a day’, ‘daily’, ‘more than once a week’, ‘weekly', ‘one to three times per month’, ‘less than once a month’. Responses ‘more than once a week' or more frequent were categories as ‘frequent users’. In addition, participants were asked to their use of prescription analgesics for LBP within the latest 6 months.

Outcomes
325 participants were included. Of these, 80 (0.25, 0.20-0.30; 95%CI) reported LBP and 13 (0.16, 0.09-0.26; 95%CI) were frequent users of OTC medication for their LBP and 13 (0.16, 0.09-0.26; 95%CI) had used prescription medication for LBP within 6 months.

Discussion
Even though guidelines warn against frequent use of OTC medication and against prescription analgesics for LBP, the usage patterns still appear inappropriate.