539 MEP090 – Self-medication and parasport: a study on adult amateur athletes with motor disabilities

AbstractBackground Limited research has been conducted on self-medication (SM) practices in sports, particularly among amateur athletes with motor disabilities. Objective This study aimed to determine the prevalence of self-medication among amateur athletes with physical disabilities, identify factors influencing self-medication behaviors, and address misconceptions associated with these practices.Design A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted using an anonymous online self-administered questionnaire.Settings and Participants The study included amateur disabled athletes from Belgium and France.Assessment of Risk Factors Self-medication behaviors were assessed for dietary supplements (DS), over-the-counter drugs (OTC), and formerly prescribed drugs (FPD) through self-reported procedures.Main outcome Data on participant characteristics, sports practice, consumed products, and knowledge were collected. Descriptive statistical analyses, group comparisons, and logistic regressions were performed to assess factors influencing self-medication.Results Among 164 disabled athletes, 38.7% practiced self-medication in sports. Of these, 23.2% used dietary supplements (DS), and 25.6% used medications (MEDS). Self-medicating with DS was positively linked to age, consumption of caffeinated and energy drinks, and self-medication with MEDS. Self-medicating with MEDS was positively correlated with hours of sports practice, caffeinated drink consumption, and self-medication with DS. Paracetamol was the most commonly used pharmaceutical, while proteins were the preferred DS. 36.4% of MEDS users and 42.1% of DS users believed self-medication posed no health risks.Conclusion This study reveals a high prevalence of self-medication among amateur athletes with disabilities. Fortunately, paracetamol, a commonly used medication, typically has low side-effect risks. However, recent research has raised concerns even about this seemingly innocuous medication, underlining the need for cautious medication use. Associated risks, reliance on unreliable information sources (e.g., the internet), and lack of awareness about self-medication dangers emphasize the necessity for educational strategies aimed at amateur disabled athletes.