Impact of Monazitic Sand Exposition on Profile of Drug Use of Patients with Osteoarthrosis

Resumo

The objective of this study was to characterize the pharmacotherapeutic profile in patients with knee osteoarthrosis
from primary health care, submitted to alternative randomized treatment with radiation emitted by the monazitic sands on beaches
of Espírito Santo, Brazil. In the method used, patients included in the study were randomized and submitted to alternative
treatment on the beach with radioactive sand (n=20) and beach without radioactivity (n=19), 2 times a week and for 30 min
each session for three months, totaling 24 exposures. The use and frequency of analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and/or
opioids were collected to apply structured questionnaires. As a result, patients were mainly female and elderly and on continuous
medications. The prevalent drugs used were painkillers such as ibuprofen, paracetamol, and tramadol. The alternative treatment
with the sands provided self-perceived clinical improvements, especially in patients exposed to monazitic sands who showed a
substantial reduction in the frequency of consumption of medicines used for the treatment of pain and the perception of use after
24 exposures. We conclude that the frequency of consumption of medications used for pain treatment and the perception of use
after 24 exposures was different in self-perceived health, which evidences enormous therapeutic potential of alternative therapy
with the monazitic sands in the health and quality of life of patients with knee osteoarthrosis.