Every week, we will provide a brief summary and a link to the published abstract of newly published papers selected from the worldwide literature as being of particular interest to the SelfCare community.
ANALGESIC USE IN A NATIONAL COMMUNITY SAMPLE OF GERMAN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS.
By: Du Y, Ellert U, Zhuang W, Knopf H.
European journal of pain 2012 Jul 16(6): 934-43.
Summary: Previous studies suggest that pain management by analgesic medications may be low among children.
Analgesic use during a 1-week period was investigated in a community sample of 14,836 children and adolescents aged between 3 and 17 years in Germany. The prevalence of analgesic use was 8.9% among the general child population and 17.5% among children with pain that occurred at least once a week. Paracetamol (acetaminophen), aspirin and ibuprofen were the most frequently used paediatric analgesics, accounting for two-thirds of all analgesics. The vast majority of painkillers were self-medicated (67%, bought over the counter or obtained from other sources), used for a short term within 1 week (92%) and taken for the treatment of pain (85%). Analgesic use appears to be low among children in Germany, reflecting largely the fact that pain perceived among children under ambulant care may be mild to moderate and does not need analgesic medications.
OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICINE ABUSE-A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE.
By: Cooper RJ.
Journal of Substance Use 2013; 18(2): 82-107.
Summary: OTC medicine abuse was identified in many countries, and although implicated products varied, five key groups emerged: codeine-based (especially compound analgesic) medicines, cough products (particularly dextromethorphan), sedative antihistamines, decongestants and laxatives. No clear patterns relating to those affected or their experiences were identified, and they may represent a hard-to-reach group, which coupled with heterogeneous data, makes estimating the scale of abuse problematic. Associated harms included direct physiological or psychological harm (e.g. opiate addiction), harm from another ingredient (e.g. ibuprofen-related gastric bleeding) and associated social and economic problems. Strategies and interventions included limiting supplies, raising public and professional awareness and using existing services and Internet support groups, although associated evaluations were lacking. Research is needed to quantify scale of abuse, evaluate interventions and capture individual experiences, to inform policy, regulation and interventions.
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PARENTAL ATTITUDES AND SELF-MEDICATION OF THEIR CHILDREN.
By: Siponen S, Ahonen R, Kiviniemi V, Hämeen-Anttila K.
International Journal of Clinical Pharmacy Feb 2013; 35(1): 113-120.
Summary: The aim of this study was to identify how parental attitudes toward medicines are associated with how they medicate their children with self-medication, including the use of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines and complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs). CAM use was least likely among children whose parent had a positive view of prescription medicines. In contrast, a positive attitude toward OTC medicines by a parent was associated with both OTC medicine and CAM use among children, whereas parental worry about the risks of medicines predicted the use of CAMs among children. This study showed that parental attitudes toward medicines have an impact on how they medicate their children, especially with CAMs.
MANAGEMENT OF COMMON COLD SYMPTOMS WITH OVER-THE-COUNTER MEDICATIONS: CLEARING THE CONFUSION.
By: Jackson Allen P, Simenson S.
Postgraduate medicine 2013 Jan; 125. 1 : 73-81.
Summary: This review article discusses the active ingredients found in OTC medications and the clinical evidence supporting their use. The need to educate health care professionals and patients on the safe and effective use of OTC medications is addressed, and the review offers a guide for the management of symptoms that appear during the timeline of a typical common cold.
NEW HORIZONS: CURRENT AND POTENTIAL FUTURE SELF-TREATMENTS FOR ACUTE UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT CONDITIONS.
By: Derebery MJ, Dicpinigaitis PV.
Postgraduate medicine Jan 2013 125. 1: 82-96.
Summary: Symptoms of acute upper respiratory tract conditions (URTCs), including the common cold, allergic rhinitis (AR), and acute sinusitis are frequently managed with over-the-counter (OTC) products. Currently available OTC options can have limited efficacy in treating the broad array of symptoms associated with acute URTCs, and some have unwanted side effects. There is an unmet need for OTC therapies that have broad clinical activity, can reduce the severity and duration of illness when taken at the first sign of symptoms, and/or provide prophylaxis. This review article examines the available evidence supporting emerging and potentially new OTC pharmacologic, nutraceutical, and nonpharmacologic therapies on the horizon for the treatment of acute URTCs.