OBJECTIVES

To analyse the acute pain treatment profiles in a health district for 2014 - 2019 using Real World Data (RWD)

METHODS

Non-interventional, cross sectional and population-based study using RWD for outpatients corresponding to the period 2014 - 2019, extracted from the information systems of the Clinico-Malvarrosa health district of Valencia (Spain) (n: 320.000). Included ATC codes were M01A. Anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic products, non-steroids, N02A. Opioids and N02B. Other analgesics and antipyretics.

Patients included are those with prescription for acute pain equal or less than 90 days. Measurements were total number of Defined Daily Doses (DDD) and cost in euros.

RESULTS

A total of 171,652 patients (approximately 54% of the population) received treatments for pain in 2019, with a total cost of 4,779,145 euros. Of these, 90% were targeted for acute pain. The most commonly used drugs are N02B, which account for 45.3% of treatments, followed by M01A with 42.4% and N02A with 12.3%.

In terms of evolution, the relative growth of opioid treatments (N02A) stands out, (33% compared to 2014). The most prescribed opioid drug in 2019 is paracetamol+tramadol with 916,305 DDD and accounting for 53%. Fentanyl accounts for the largest cost (1,073,982 euros, 39%), followed by tapentadol (623,231 euros, 23%) and paracetamol+tramadol (581,533 euros, 21%).

The M01A group decreased by 3%. The most prescribed anti-inflammatory drug is ibuprofen with 1,173,445 DDD (33%), although the main cost was Dexketoprofen (223,780 euros, 20.2%), followed by ibuprofen (217,059 euros, 19.6%).

The N02B group increases by 23%. The most prescribed analgesic and antipyretic drug is paracetamol (2,671,954 DDD, 82%), with a total cost of 608,787 euros (66%). Metamizol is second (285,498 euros, 31%).

CONCLUSIONS

Of pain treatments, acute pain accounts for 90%. Use of opioids has increased while use of anti-inflammatory drugs has decreased in this period.