Uso de analgésicos e adjuvantes em geriatria: quantidade, perfil, prevalência e fatores associados

Rafaela de Carvalho Rodrigues; Edna Afonso Reis; Antonio Ignacio Loyola Filho; Nelson Machado do Carmo Júnior; Estevão Alves Valle; Mariana Martins Gonzaga do Nascimento

doi:10.17765/2176-9206.2026v19e13356

Authors

Rafaela de Carvalho Rodrigues University of Minas Gerais https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2670-7616
Edna Afonso Reis University of Minas Gerais https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1465-9167
Antonio Ignacio Loyola Filho Federal University of Minas Gerais https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7317-3477
Nelson Machado do Carmo Júnior University of Minas Gerais https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1047-7956
Estevão Alves Valle Mais 60 Health Clinic https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9138-9952
Mariana Martins Gonzaga do Nascimento University of Minas Gerais https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2183-4365

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17765/2176-9206.2026v19e13356

Keywords:

Aged, Ambulatory care, Analgesics, Drug utilization, Health services for the aged

Abstract

The objective was to evaluate the prevalence, profile, and factors associated with the use of analgesics and adjuvants among older adults admitted to a supplementary health outpatient clinic in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. This was a cross-sectional study based on secondary data from the clinic’s computerized system. The prevalence of analgesic and/or adjuvant use was determined among older adults diagnosed with chronic diseases associated with pain, and its association with components of the Clinical-Functional Vulnerability Index (IVCF-20) was assessed using logistic regression. The prevalence of analgesic/adjuvant use was 59.9% and was associated with poorer self-perceived health, inability to perform instrumental activities of daily living, and reduced mobility. Pregabalin (15.0%) was the most frequently used analgesic, and duloxetine (18.4%) was the most commonly used adjuvant. Potential underuse of analgesics and adjuvants was observed, and their use was associated with situations involving worse perceived health status and impaired functional capacity.

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Author Biographies

Rafaela de Carvalho Rodrigues, University of Minas Gerais

Master degree in Medication and Pharmaceutical Care from the Graduate Program in Medication and Pharmaceutical Care at UFMG. She specializes in Elderly Health from the Hospital das Clínicas of the Federal University of Minas Gerais, and holds a degree in Pharmacy from the Federal University of Sergipe. She has experience in caring for frail elderly individuals in both outpatient and inpatient settings. Her areas of expertise include elderly care, health technology assessment, hospital clinical pharmacy, clinical research, and health data analysis.

Edna Afonso Reis, University of Minas Gerais

Has a degree in Statistics from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (1996), a Master's degree in Statistics from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (1998), and a PhD in Statistics from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (2008). She has been an Associate Professor in the Department of Statistics of the Institute of Exact Sciences of the Federal University of Minas Gerais (DEST-UFMG) since 1999. She has been a faculty member of the Graduate Program in Medicines and Pharmaceutical Assistance of the Faculty of Pharmacy of UFMG since 2012. She was Deputy Coordinator (2011-2013) and Coordinator (2013-2015) of the Undergraduate Program in Statistics at UFMG. She was Deputy Head of DEST-UFMG from September 2021 to June 2023 and has been Head of DEST-UFMG since July 2023. She has experience in Probability and Statistics, with an emphasis on Data Analysis in Biostatistics.

Antonio Ignacio Loyola Filho, Federal University of Minas Gerais

He holds a degree in Dentistry from the Federal University of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri Valleys (formerly the Federal School of Dentistry of Diamantina) in 1980, a Master's degree in Public Health from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (2001), and a PhD in Public Health from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (2006). He is currently a Volunteer Senior Researcher and Professor in the Graduate Program in Public Health at the René Rachou Institute (FIOCRUZ). He is an Associate Professor at the School of Nursing (Department of Health Services Management) of the Federal University of Minas Gerais. He has experience in Public Health, with an emphasis on Epidemiology, with interests and work primarily in the following areas: epidemiology, pharmacoepidemiology, elderly health, and oral health.

Nelson Machado do Carmo Júnior, University of Minas Gerais

PhD student in the Postgraduate Program in Medicines and Pharmaceutical Assistance (PPGMAF/FAFAR/UFMG). Master's degree in Medicines and Pharmaceutical Assistance (PPGMAF/FAFAR/UFMG). Specialist in Clinical Pharmacy in Critical Patient Care from Hospital Sírio Libanês/São Paulo (2019). Specialist in Elderly Health by the Multiprofessional Residency Program in Health, Concentration Area in Elderly Health, carried out at Hospital Risoleta Tolentino Neves (HRTN/FUNDEP/UFMG, 2017). Specialist in Public Health from Faculdade Anhanguera - SP (2018). Graduated in Pharmacy-Biochemistry from the Federal University of Maranhão (2013). Biologist licensed by the State University of Maranhão. Has extensive experience in Elderly Health (with a focus on inappropriate medications and development of medication deprescription protocols); He has worked as a Clinical Pharmacist in Intensive Care Units, Internal Medicine Units, and Outpatient Care, implementing and developing Clinical Pharmacy Services in both outpatient and inpatient settings. He also teaches Applied Pharmacology in the Nursing and Obstetrics Residency Program at the Fhemig Network and is a Hospital and Clinical Pharmacist.

Estevão Alves Valle, Mais 60 Health Clinic

He graduated in Medicine from the Federal University of Minas Gerais. He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at the Hospital das Clínicas of UFMG (UFMG) and Geriatrics at IPSEMG (Brazilian Institute of Geriatrics and Social Sciences). He also holds a Geriatrics degree from the SBGG (Brazilian Society of Geriatrics). In March 2008, he completed his strictu sensu master's degree in Health Sciences, with an emphasis on Epidemiology, from the René Rachou Institute/Fiocruz and completed his doctorate from the same institution in 2017. He is the founder and Health Care Director of Mais 60 Saúde.

Mariana Martins Gonzaga do Nascimento, University of Minas Gerais

Assistant Professor in the Department of Pharmaceutical Products - School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais (PFA/FAFAR/UFMG), Post-doctorate from the Graduate Program in Medicines and Pharmaceutical Assistance, Center for Studies in Pharmaceutical Care (CEAF/PPGMAF/FAFAR/UFMG). PhD in Health Sciences from the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation/René Rachou Research Center (FIOCRUZ/CPqRR). Master in Health Sciences from the Federal University of São João del Rei (UFSJ). Specialist in Hospital Pharmacy and Health Services from the State University of Montes Claros/Minas Gerais Association of Pharmacists (UNIMONTES/AMF). Graduated in Pharmacy with a specialization in industry from FAFAR/UFMG. Serves as a member of the scientific council of the Institute for Safe Practices in the Use of Medications (ISMP Brasil). She worked as a professor in several undergraduate and postgraduate courses (2007 to 2017), as a supervising pharmacist at Hospital Risoleta Tolentino Neves and as a pharmacist at SES-MG.

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