Physician practicing preferences for conventional or homeopathic medicines in elderly subjects with musculoskeletal disorders in the EPI3-MSD cohort.

摘要: BACKGROUND Musculoskeletal pain is common in elderly persons. Analgesic use high the and may involve unacceptable risk individuals with chronic pain. Our aim was to compare socio-demographic characteristics of subjects musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) assess medication clinical evolution according physician prescribing preference: homeopathy (Ho) group, conventional medicine (CM) or mixed prescription (MX) group. METHODS The EPI3 study a 1 year observational survey carried out among general practitioners France between March 2007 July 2008. This sub-analysis on aged ≥70 years from original cohort. Socio-demographic data were collected at inclusion using self-administered patient questionnaire medical recorded for each patient. Quality life measured Short Form-12 questionnaire. Patients completed structured telephone interview their functional status (evaluated QuickDash questionnaire, EIFEL scale Lequesne index) within 72 hours inclusion. repeated 1, 3, 12 months. Drug exposure also assessed during these interviews. RESULTS 146 patients (mean age ± standard deviation: 75.8±4.8 years) analyzed (80.1% female, 74.7% MSD spine lower limbs, 64.4% MSD). CM MX groups 3.7 times 2.5 more likely (odds ratio [OR] =3.71, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12-12.30; OR =2.52, CI: 1.05-6.05; respectively) have used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) than those Ho In contrast, analgesic comparable three (OR =1.06 [CM versus Ho], 0.09-12.11; =0.34 [MX 0.07-1.57). Overall score similar over time (P=0.16). CONCLUSION NSAID significantly higher consulting practice practitioner. groups. Consulting homeopathic management does not appear represent loss therapeutic opportunity, decreases NSAIDs.