Unpacking excessive polypharmacy patterns among individuals living with chronic pain in Quebec: a longitudinal study.

Abstract

Introduction: Excessive polypharmacy, which can be defined as the concurrent use of ≥10 medications, is prevalent among individuals with chronic pain. However, it remains unclear how it may vary between individuals or over time.

Objectives: This study aimed to describe and identify factors associated with trajectories of excessive polypharmacy.

Methods: A retrospective longitudinal study was conducted using the TorSaDE Cohort, which links Canadian Community Health Surveys (2007-2016) and Quebec health administrative databases. Among 9,156 adults living with chronic pain and covered by public prescribed drug insurance, the presence of excessive polypharmacy (yes/no) was assessed monthly for one-year post-survey completion (12 time points). Group-based trajectory modelling was applied to identify groups with similar patterns over time (trajectories). Multivariable multinomial regression was used to identify factors associated with trajectory membership.

Results: Four trajectories were obtained: (1) "No excessive polypharmacy" (74.8%); (2) "Sometimes in excessive polypharmacy" (8.6%); (3) "Often in excessive polypharmacy" (6.1%); 4) "Always in excessive polypharmacy" (10.5%). Factors associated with the "always in excessive polypharmacy" trajectory membership were: being older, being born in Canada, having a lower income, having a higher comorbidity index score, more severe pain intensity, and more daily activities prevented by pain, reporting arthritis or back pain and poorer perceived general health, and having a family physician. Using opioids or benzodiazepines, having a lower alcohol consumption, doing less physical activity, a higher number of prescribers and visits to a family physician also predicted being always in excessive polypharmacy.

Discussion: This study identifies distinct trajectories of excessive polypharmacy in adults with chronic pain, emphasizing key sociodemographic and clinical factors and the need for tailored interventions for effective medication management.