Description and Clinical Overview of 300 cases of Patients Suffering from Chronic Pain in Underdeveloped Countries; Cameroon Case; Lomié Health District

Abstract

Introduction: Pain is a real public health issue, a criterion for the quality and evolution of a health system: it is a major problem of society in poor countries. In Cameroon, chronic pain is rarely diagnosed and adequately managed; the absence of a specialist dedicated to pain, ignorance and the absence of a reference centre for pain management increases cases of suffering, difficulties of integration, social life, loss of employment, disability, disability ignored also unrecognized cases of depression, lack of diagnosis and effective management by a reference structure as in industrialized countries. Its management responds to an institutional, ethical, ethical and human dignity objective because of the physical and psychological impact. It leads to a disability that prevents the patient from being self-sufficient and evolving in his environment. Whether physical or psychological, it has an impact on the patient's life, creating a disability regardless of the patient's age or gender, even though studies show that women suffer more of chronic pain (as Fibromyalgia). Objectives: Describe, assess the status and clinical presentation of patients suffering from chronic pain in underdeveloped countries; Cameroon case; Lomié Health District. Methods: Descriptive and cross-sectional study, conducted at the Lomié district hospital in Cameroon. It focused on patients of all ages who came to see for indeterminate pain in patients' complaints, and did not respond to painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs taken after medical prescription and or self-medication during a period of more than 3 months.