Tobacco smoking in relation to analgesic drug use in a national adult population sample.

Background: Nicotine is known to produce pain-inhibitory effects. Here, we examine whether there is a relation between tobacco smoking and analgesic drug use (ADU).

Methods: A probability sample of the German national population aged 18-79 with 7124 participants (participation rate: 61.4%) was used. All individuals underwent a health examination and ADU was assessed as part of an interview conducted by a study physician.

Results: Current and former smokers had higher odds for ADU than never smokers. Current heavy smokers (>20 cigarettes per day) had an odds ratio (OR) of 1.8 (95% confidence interval, CI, 1.4-2.3) for ADU three times per month or less and an OR of 3.1 (CI 2.0-4.8) for ADU once a week to daily, with never smokers as the reference group. Former heavy smokers had an OR of 2.0 (CI 1.3-3.2) for ADU once a week to daily compared to never smokers.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that current and former smokers, particularly current and former heavy smokers, are more likely to use analgesic drugs than never smokers.