Analgesic prescribing patterns in Norwegian nursing homes from 2000 to 2011: trend analyses of four data samples.

Background: the analgesic drug use has been reported to increase in general in nursing home patients. However, there is insufficient evidence in terms of what agents are used, variations of use over time and to whom these drugs are prescribed.

Objective: we investigated the prescribing patterns of scheduled analgesic drugs in Norwegian nursing home patients from 2000 to 2011, with the association to age, gender, cognitive function and type of nursing home unit.

Design: secondary analyses of four study samples (three observational studies and one randomised controlled trial).

Setting And Subjects: nursing home patients included in study samples from 2000 (n = 1,926), 2004 (n = 1,163), 2009 (n = 850) and 2011 (n = 1,858) located in 14 Norwegian counties.

Methods: trend analyses of analgesic drug prescriptions. Percentages were described using t-test, χ(2) and Mann-Whitney U test and multivariate logistic regression.

Results: the odds ratio for receiving any pain medication in 2011 compared with 2000 was 2.6 (95% CI 2.23-2.91), this is corresponding to a 65% increase from 34.9 to 57.6%. The paracetamol prescription increased by 113%, from 22.7% in 2000 to 48.4% in 2011. Strong opioids (fentanyl, buprenorphine, morphine, oxycodone) increased from 1.9% in 2000 to 17.9% in 2011 (P < 0.001), whereas non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug prescription decreased, from 6.8 to 3.2%. In 2000, 2004 and 2009, people with dementia received fewer analgesics compared with patients without dementia; no differences in analgesic drug use between the groups were found in 2011.

Conclusions: the analgesic drug prescription increased significantly from 2000 to 2011, especially the use of paracetamol and strong opioids. We also highlight a possible change from under-prescription of analgesic medication in people with dementia, to an equal amount compared with patients without cognitive impairment.