Physical activity, sedentary behavior and relationship with non-prescription analgesic: the SCAPIS cohort

This research study aims to investigate the relationships between physical activity, sedentary behavior, and the use of non-prescription analgesics.

This was a registry study with cross-sectional data, using self-reported questions and accelerometer data recorded over seven days, included in The Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioimaging Study (SCAPIS). The participants were 1,282 females and 1,225 males, randomly selected, aged 50-64 from the northern part of Sweden. The included variables were physical activity during leisure time and at work, sedentary behavior, and use of non-prescription analgesics. Potential interacting variables were sex, body mass index, and occupation. Binomial logistic regression analysis was used.

The results show a relationship between self-reported physical activity during leisure time and the use of non-prescription analgesics; the more active groups used fewer analgesics. The adjusted model slightly reduced the odds ratios. The odds ratio (OR) for the adjusted model was 1.77 (1.11-2.85) for those who exercised 1-2 times per week and 2.42 (1.32-4.42) for those who exercised more than 3 times per week. There was no relationship between the degree of physical activity at work and the use of non-prescription analgesics, nor was there a relationship with sedentary behavior or the accelerometer data.

People aged 55-64 living in the northern part of Sweden who self-report higher physical activity use less non-prescription analgesics. In contrast, there were no relationships between physical activity at work, sedentary behavior, or the accelerometer data and non-prescription analgesic use. Further research with longitudinal data is needed to better understand the relationship between these variables.

Physiotherapy is a non-medical therapy, but professionals should be aware if patients use non-prescription analgesics and monitor this over time. Analgesic use can be evaluated before and after rehabilitation. Additionally, when explaining pain to patients, physiotherapists should include the benefits of physical activity compared to analgesics.