Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are some of the most widely used drugs worldwide. It is estimated that over 30 million people take NSAIDs daily, despite their background of toxicity and adverse effects. The present study used Phase 1 (1999) sectional data from a cohort study (the Pró-Saúde Study) collected among 4,030 technical-administrative employees of a university in Rio de Janeiro through a multidimensional self-administered questionnaire. According to the results, NSAIDs were some of the most frequently consumed drugs, with a 7% prevalence of usage. The likelihood of being a NSAID user was two-fold in women, with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.11 (95%CI: 1.59-2.79). A multivariate analysis was performed and different logistic models were proposed according to gender. The week workload was identified as an important predictor of the use of NSAIDs (OR=1.03; 95%CI: 1.01-1.04 for men and OR=1.02; CI95%: 1.00-1.03 for women). Incapacitating pain and arthrosis were also associated with NSAID use; among men, the OR was 2.89 (95%CI: 1.77-4.71) and 2.29 (95%CI: 1.10-4.75), respectively; and among women the OR was 2.65 (95%CI: 1.89-3.70) and 2.00 (95%CI: 1.37-2.93), respectively. Other important predictors were slipped disk (OR=2.27; 95%CI: 0.93-5.54) for men, and cumulative trauma disorders (OR=1.64; IC95%: 1.15-2.35), bladder stones (OR=1.85; 95%CI: 1.00-3.45) and kidney stones (OR=1.81; 95%CI: 1.12-2.91) for women. Women and individuals with a greater week workload constitute the most vulnerable subgroups, in terms of irrational use, being, therefore, the best targets for intervention programs. The results point toward the importance of work conditions in disease-generating processes.
Anti-inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Associated factors; Workers; Universities
