Use of Analgesics in Dentistry and Orthopedics: A Survey-based Study in India

Abstract

Background: Pain is a significant health problem, and it is estimated that 1 in 5 adults suffers from pain, and even more alarmingly, 1 in 10 adults is diagnosed annually with chronic pain. Pharmacological treatments remain a core element of pain management for acute and chronic conditions, and more so for chronic painful conditions. In India, the major pharmacological options include paracetamol and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or combination therapies. Aims and Objectives: The cross-sectional study aimed to understand the practices for prescribing analgesics in either mono-or combination -therapy in management of chronic painful conditions. Materials and Methods: The KAP, was designed for dentists and orthopaedicians. A carefully crafted questionnaire was developed comprising 5 multiple-choice questions with subsets in orthopaedics and 7 multiple-choice questions in dentistry. Results: The survey included general dentists and specialists (n = 200) and orthpaedicians (n = 300). Most of the dentists (97.92%) agreed that their choice of analgesics prescribed depended on the severity of dental pain. While choosing NSAIDs as monotherapy, Diclofenac was the choice of drug for 72.4% of the participants. Dentists favoured combination therapies, with more than 50% preferring, either Diclofenac with Paracetamol and Serratiopeptidase. For management of acute low back pain and osteoarthritis most of the orthopaedicians preferred using Etoricoxib. A combination therapy was preferred with muscle relaxant. Conclusion: The (KAP) survey provided further insight into the selection of NSAIDs as analgesics in dentistry and orthopedic practices in India. There was a notable inclination toward COX-2 inhibitors.

Keywords

• analgesic
• dental
• orthopedic
• pain management