The use of Analgesics and Associated Factors Among Nursing Home Residents

Abstract

Aim: This study examined the use of analgesics and associated factors among nursing home residents (NHRs). Materials & methods: A descriptive correlational design and a convenience sample of 209 NHRs receiving analgesics was used in this study. Results: Higher use of analgesics was noted among NHRs without cognitive impairment (p < 0.001), those with higher anticholinergic burden scores (p = 0.002) and those with a higher average number of oral pills taken daily (p = 0.045). Conclusion: These findings contribute to a better understanding of the prevalence and associated factors of analgesic use, which will inform the development and application of evidence-based pain practice and guidelines in nursing homes in Jordan and beyond.

Lay abstract

This study looked at the use of pain killers among 209 older adults residing in a nursing home in Jordan. The study found higher prescriptions for pain killers among nursing home residents who did not have cognitive impairment, those who were taking more drugs that blocked the neurotransmitter acetylcholine and those who took a higher average number of oral pills per day. The results of our study contribute to a better understanding of the use of pain killers in nursing home residents, which will inform the development and application of better pain practices in nursing homes in Jordan and beyond.

Keywords::

• analgesics use
• cognitive impairment
• comorbidities
• nursing home residents
• pain

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Ethical conduct of research

The authors state that they have obtained appropriate institutional review board approval or have followed the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki for all human or animal experimental investigations. In addition, for investigations involving human subjects, informed consent has been obtained from the participants involved.