Gabapentin
Conditions
Brief summary
This study investigates the prescription patterns of gabapentinoids (gabapentin and pregabalin) in a geriatric fall clinic in Aalborg, Denmark, between 2013 and 2023. Gabapentinoids, often prescribed for neuropathic pain, have seen increased off-label usage, particularly as alternatives to opioids. Despite the lack of robust evidence supporting their efficacy in many neuropathic and non-neuropathic pain conditions, their use has grown, especially in elderly populations. This raises concerns about their potential side effects, such as drowsiness, dizziness, and the risk of falls, especially when combined with opioids. The study aims to determine the prevalence of gabapentinoid and opioid prescriptions in the clinics and for what type of pain they are prescribed. Furthermore, the study will look into the development in opioid prescriptions and concomitant gabapentinoid/opioid usage in this population. The study is a retrospective chart review of patient charts from the years 2013-2014, 2018-2019, and 2023, analyzing patient characteristics, comorbidities, medication lists, and pain classifications.
Interventions
OTHERTime
This is a cross sectional study, and the exposure where the outcome is expected to change by is time. Years included in the study are 2013-2014, 2018-2019 and 2023
Sponsors
Aalborg University Hospital
Study design
Observational model
OTHER
Time perspective
RETROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* patient in the geriatric fall clinic at Aalborg University Hospital in either 2013-2014, 2018-2019, or 2023
Exclusion criteria
* None
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Prevalence of gabapentionoids | Baseline. That is at the time of first outpatient contact in the geriatric fall clinic at Aalborg University Hospital | Number of patients taking gabapentinoids (yes/no) for each year |
| Prevalence of opioids | Baseline. That is at the time of first outpatient contact in the geriatric fall clinic at Aalborg University Hospital | Number of patients taking opioids (yes/no) for each year |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Pain characteristics for each year | Baseline. That is at the time of first outpatient contact in the geriatric fall clinic at Aalborg University Hospital | Pain categorized as malignant, neuropathic (with subcategories such as radiculopathy, postherpetic neuralgia), nociceptive somatic (e.g., back pain, shoulder pain), and nociceptive visceral (e.g., headache, abdominal pain). Each pain type will further be classified by duration as acute (below 3 months), subacute (3-6 months), chronic (more than 6 months), or not stated in charts. |
Countries
Denmark
Outcome results
None listed