[Trends and factors associated with analgesics use in Spain from 1993 to 2006].

Background And Objectives: To analyze trends in the use of analgesics in adults in Spain from 1993 to 2006, and to identify the associated lifestyle and socio-demographic factors.

Patients And Method: The data were obtained from 6 Spanish National Health Surveys conducted in 1993, 1995, 1997, 2001, 2003 and 2006 with representative samples of the non-institutionalized Spanish population of 16 years of age and older. Analgesics use was defined as having taken place in the 15 days prior to the interview. Models of multiple logistic regression were used to calculate the associations between the use of analgesics and lifestyle and socio-demographic variables.

Results: The frequency of the analgesics use increased progressively, from 9.8% (confidence interval [CI] 95% 9.3-10.3%) in 1993 to 32.9% (CI 95% 32.4-33.5%) in 2006. Analgesics use was most frequent in women, obese individuals, tobacco users and those who slept 6 or lower hours a night, independent of their self-rated health and chronic diseases. The use of prescription analgesics increased from 55.6% of total consumption in 1993 to 71.6% in 2006, while self-medication fell from 44.4% to 28.4% in the same period.

Conclusions: From 1993 to 2006 analgesics use increased significantly in spanish adults. Besides overall health, some lifestyle and socio-demographic factors contribute to a pattern of increased consumption of these medications.