Use of medications related to the management of osteoarthritis in Colombia: a descriptive cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction

The prevalence of osteoarthritis in the Colombian population is estimated at 10.8% and is associated with high health costs. The evaluation of the benefit/risk of the pharmacological treatment used is a fundamental aspect for all health professionals.

Objective

To identify the profile of medication use related to the management of osteoarthritis in adults over 50 years of age in Colombia in 2022 and with an unfavourable benefit-risk ratio.

Methods

A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study, taking into account all prescription dispensations of patients over 50 years of age with a diagnosis of osteoarthritis, affiliated with the health plan of a Colombian insurer in 2022. The risk-benefit ratio was determined according to the Prescrire journal and the applicable STOPP criteria.

Results

A total of 18,824 patients were included, the median age found was 64 years. Of these, 74.8% were women. The prevalence of prescription of medications related to osteoarthritis was .4% of all affiliates for the year 2022 by said insurer. The most prescribed medication was acetaminophen/codeine in 46.5% of patient dispensations. A total of 64.2% of users were prescribed drugs with an unfavourable benefit-risk ratio according to the Prescrire journal and STOPP criteria.

Conclusions

A significant proportion of prescriptions related to the management of osteoarthritis identified in this study contain at least one drug with an unfavourable benefit-risk ratio. This finding highlights the need to reflect on the optimization of prescribing, especially considering the chronic nature of osteoarthritis.