Few analgesics' studies in nursing homes are available. Quantitative and qualitative analgesic consumption evaluation in nursing homes in 2012. Multicenter, descriptive, retrospective and observational study about French Korian Nursing homes' residents, using Medissimo solution, and under at least one analgesic treatment during 2012. We considered as chronic prescription a duration greater than or equal to 28 days and as short prescription a duration less than 28 days. Population studied is 10.818 residents. 62% consumed at least one analgesic, 51% had a chronic analgesic consumption, 11% had a short analgesic consumption and 25% had an analgesic consumption both short and chronic. 47% residents under analgesic treatment received at least one prescription of painkillers "when require". Short prescription represents 19% of analgesic prescriptions: 57% are level 1 only, 20% are level 3 only and 16% are level 2 only. Chronic prescription represents 81% of analgesic prescriptions: 68% are level 1 only, 13% are level 2 only and 5% are level 3 only. 18 INNs were prescribed in nursing homes: paracetamol in 74% of cases, tramadol in 13% of cases, opioids and NSAIDs in 8% of cases. Our study reveals an analgesic consumption sometimes inappropriate with respect to paracetamol, tramadol and NSAIDs consumptions in addition to an overuse of fentanyl patch consumption. Residents in nursing homes are high analgesics consumers, often chronic. Paracetamol is the reference molecule.
Keywords: analgesic; elderly; nursing home.