Use of over-the-counter supplements, sleep aids and analgesic medicines in rheumatology: results of a cross-sectional survey

Mehreen Soomro; Stephanie Lyons; Ramiro Bravo; John McBeth; Mark Lunt; William G Dixon; Meghna Jani

doi:10.1093/rap/rkae129

Use of over-the-counter supplements, sleep aids and analgesic medicines in rheumatology: results of a cross-sectional survey

Rheumatol Adv Pract. 2024 Oct 9;8(4):rkae129. doi: 10.1093/rap/rkae129. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Mehreen Soomro¹, Stephanie Lyons¹, Ramiro Bravo¹, John McBeth¹, Mark Lunt¹, William G Dixon^{1

2

3

4}, Meghna Jani^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Epidemiology Versus Arthritis, Centre for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
² Department of Rheumatology, Salford Royal Hospital. Northern Care Alliance, Salford, UK.
³ NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK.
⁴ Division of Informatics, Imaging and Data Science, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.

Abstract

Objectives: Pain, fatigue and sleep disturbances are common symptoms in patients with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) that may prompt the use of over-the-counter (OTC) supplements, sleep aids and analgesics as self-management strategies. This study evaluated the prevalence of OTC supplements, sleep aids and pain relievers and the financial burden associated with their use in rheumatology.

Methods: A web-based survey developed with patients was administered in rheumatology clinics in an English hospital. Participants shared demographic information and detailed their use of OTC supplements, sleep aids and pain relief in the past week. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression models to identify influencing factors.

Results: A total of 876 people consented to participate in the survey. More than half of patients (54.5%) reported daily supplement intake, typically spending £10/month (interquartile range 5-20), ranging up to £200/month. The most commonly administered supplements were vitamin D, multivitamins, vitamin C, vitamin B/B complex and omega-3/-6 supplements, with multiple overlaps. Prescription, OTC or non-prescription pain relief use was reported by 82% of respondents, with sleep aids being used by 13%. Of the 327 patients who took NSAIDs, 165 (50.4%) also reported taking OTC supplements, while among the 131 patients using opioids (20.5%), 66 (50.3%) reported supplement use, some of which have documented interactions.

Conclusion: The use of OTC supplements, pain relief and sleep aids is common in patients with RMDs. Healthcare professionals should be encouraged to proactively ask about these during consultations, especially from a drug safety perspective, but also to provide timely, reliable advice about such strategies that may be sought by patients.

Keywords: analgesics; minerals; opiates; opioids; over the counter; patient-reported health data; sleep aids; supplements; survey; vitamins.