The Po River Delta epidemiological study: use of medicines in a general population sample of north Italy

Purpose—To provide information on the actual use of medicines in a general population sample. Methods—Information was collected in a general population sample of North Italy (1946 subjects; 938 males, 1008 females) by an interviewer‐administered questionnaire. Results—Of the subjects 25.9% took habitually at least one medicine, whereas 11.1% used medicaments only occasionally. The use of medicines was significantly higher in females than in males (p < 0.001), but only in 15–44‐year‐old females, because of the use of oral contraceptives. The use of medicines increased with ageing (OR=1.80, p < 0.001). The highest use of habitual medicaments was found in subjects of 55+ years of both sexes. In both sexes, the medicines classified in the cardiovascular therapeutic group were the most frequently used. The use of gastrointestinal and cardiovascular medicines was significantly higher in males than in females (p < 0.001). In males, the use of habitual medicines was significantly (p < 0.001) higher in current smokers and ex‐smokers than in never smokers. Only 23% of allergic subjects used antiallergic medicines, and only 35% of subjects with respiratory symptoms/diseases used medicines classified into the bronchopulmonary therapeutic group. The percentage of subjects who reported cardiovascular symptoms/diseases and used medicines classified in the cardiovascular therapeutic group was greater (62%). Conclusions—We stress the importance of data collection in general population samples by questionnaires to investigate the actual use of medicines. This may give a more accurate estimate of medicine use than is possible from pharmacy sales or hospital records. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.