Abstract
Objectives
The study objectives were to assess the prevalence of, and factors associated with
the use and costs of nonprescription medications among people with spinal cord injury.
Design
Observational design; a cross-sectional online survey.
Setting
Community in Canada.
Participants
Individuals with spinal cord injury (N=160).
Interventions
Not applicable.
Main Outcome Measures
Not applicable.
Results
A total of 160 individuals participated in this study. Of all study participants,
83% reported that they used at least 1 nonprescription medication over the last 12
months. On average, participants spent $52 per month on nonprescription medications.
The average use and monthly expenditure did not differ significantly by age, sex,
or injury parameters. Vitamins and minerals were most commonly used and constituted
62% of all nonprescription medications listed by the participants. Musculoskeletal
issues were the most common health problems for which nonprescription medications
were used.
Conclusion
Nonprescription medications are a common part of therapeutic drug regimens for people
with spinal cord injuries and are purchased as an out-of-pocket expense. These products
may or may not have established benefits. Knowledge about the use of nonprescription
medications may help prescribers to improve drug safety, medication affordability,
and quality of pharmacotherapy for patients with spinal cord injury.
Keywords
List of abbreviations:
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: February 07, 2022
Accepted:
December 23,
2021
Received:
November 29,
2021
Footnotes
This study was conducted as part of the PhD thesis work of Shikha Gupta, which was supported by the Mark S. Lodge Foundation Fund and graduate research award at Queen's University.
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine.
