Abstract

SAEZ-JIMENEZ, Rafael  and  BONIS, Julio. Descriptive study on the use of NSAIDs intramuscularly for the treatment of acute low back pain in primary care consultations in Spain during 2002-2011. Rev Clin Med Fam [online]. 2015, vol.8, n.2, pp.103-109. ISSN 2386-8201.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S1699-695X2015000200003.

Objective: To describe the evolution of intramuscular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) prescriptions for the treatment of a first episode of low back pain in primary care in Spain between 2002 and 2011. Study design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Setting: Primary care. Participants: 604,423 patients ≥ 20 years who had a first episode of low back pain registered on the BIFAP database. Measurements: The variables studied were coded episodes L03, L84 and L86 according to the International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC-2) and the drugs M01A, N02BB02 and N02BB91 groups of Anatomical-Therapeutic-Chemical WHO classification. Also sex and age variables. Results: The average age of diagnosis of a first episode of back pain was 49 years; 59% were women. 342,514 NSAID were prescribed, 95.51% orally (the most frequently prescribed being ibuprofen), 4.11% intramuscularly (the most frequently prescribed being diclofenac) and 0.38% rectally (the most frequently prescribed being diclofenac). Intramuscular prescription was associated with being male, radiated low back pain and age. Conclusions: The prescription of NSAIDs for the treatment of low back pain has increased in the period studied. Although a downward trend is observed, the intramuscular route is still used. Therefore it would be advisable to include recommendations about the use of this route of administration of NSAID for the treatment of low back pain in clinical practice guidelines.

Keywords : Low Back Pain; Antiinflammatory Agents; Non-Steroidal; Injections; Intramuscular; Primary Health Care.

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