Surveying the pattern of narcotic analgesia usage in

Narcotics are widely prescribed to eliminate postoperative pain. The present study was designed to survey the pattern of narcotic analgesia usage in surgical wards of Taleghani hospital.

This Drug Utilization Evaluation (DUE) was designed based on Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical/Defined Daily Dose (ATC/DDD). The usage of injecting narcotics including pethidine, morphine, methadone, pentazocine, and fentanyl was surveyed during a 6-month period. Finally, ridge regression analysis was performed to draw the final model of probable associated factors.

Totally, 1029 patients received at least one dose of narcotic. Total usage of injecting narcotics was 335/24DDD or 4.67DDD/100 bed days. Narcotics were prescribed more frequently in the general surgery ward (129/32DDD), however, patients underwent renal transplantation received narcotics less frequently (11/175DDD). Multivariate regression analysis showed that postoperative narcotic requirement (DDD/day) has an inverse association with patient's age. Meanwhile, females consumed narcotics more frequently.

Younger age and female gender are associated with higher narcotic consumption. This could in part explain physiologic and psychologic aspects of these patients