STUDY ON THE REGULAR USE OF DRUGS IN WORKERS OVER 50 YEARS OF AGE

This study investigates the prevalence of regular drug use in an aging working population over 50 years of age, and evaluates the relationship between the consumption of drugs, socioprofessional characteristics and type of work. In a sample of 1132 study participants over 50 years of age, 48.8% of the subjects (women more than men: 61.2 vs 40.4%, p<0.001), reported regular use of drugs for at least 6 months. Sick leave was more frequent in drug users than in other subjects (22.2 vs 13.5%, p<0.011). beta-Adrenoceptor blocking drugs, drugs used in peripheral vascular disease, lipid lowering drugs, and benzodiazepines were the most frequently used drugs. Hormone replacement therapy accounted for most drug use in women. Sick leave was associated with a higher consumption of benzodiazepines (p<0.001), antidepressant drugs (p<0.01), diuretics (p<0.05), thyroid therapy (p<0.001) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (p<0.001). There was no relationship between the consumption of different pharmacological classes of drug and type of work, except for the use of hormone replacement therapy, which was associated with a higher professional level (p<0.001).