Abstract
ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of chronic pain has been increasing in the world, and it is considered the most underestimated health care problem impacting the quality of life. Furthermore, there is little consensus regarding the burden of chronic pain in Brazil. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of chronic pain in the general Brazilian adult population, and the socio-demographic, clinical, medical conditions and pain locations on the body. METHODS: A cross-sectional Internet-based survey was conducted in a nationally representative sample of Brazil adults to estimate the prevalence, sociodemographic correlates and characteristics of chronic pain in the Brazilian population. Twenty-seven-thousand and three hundred forty-five (27,345) representative residents were contacted. RESULTS: From 27,345 individuals, 20,830 (76.17%) presented chronic, recurrent, or long-lasting pain, lasting for at least 6 months. Nearly half of the respondents were 65 years older (48.15%) and the prevalence was higher in females (84,60%) than males (16.40%). The prevalence of primary chronic lower back pain was 59.85%; of primary rheumatoid arthritis was (59.78%) and primary osteoarthritis pain was 69.02%. Half of the respondents with chronic pain experienced daily pain, and average (past 3 months) pain intensity was moderate at 57.28%. CONCLUSION: Chronic pain affects more than two-thirds of the population of Brazil. Our findings revealed a high prevalence and severity of chronic pain and suggested that it is a public health problem in Brazil. Risk factors are being a woman, advanced age and low levels of household income. There is a need for improved health policies in Brazil for patients with chronic pain.
Highlights
Chronic pain (CP) is a common problem, as well as its high prevalence, treatment, and economic costs, generating a negative impact on physical and psychological health1,2
Previous epidemiological studies of the general population have shown that the worldwide variability in the prevalence of pain could be partially explained by methodological, racial/ethnic, or cultural differences that ranged from 8.7% in Singapore3 to 48% in the UK4
In low-income and middle-income countries, the prevalence of pain is consistent with the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data, with higher rates in the elderly general population and workers than in the general adult population. 28% of the GBD that could be averted by surgery and safe anesthesia might be related to the CP burden
Summary
Chronic pain (CP) is a common problem, as well as its high prevalence, treatment, and economic costs, generating a negative impact on physical and psychological health. In a cross-sectional study based on a population survey in the city of Bauru, a total number of 600 individuals were interviewed to determine the prevalence of neck pain and associated factors in adults and found the prevalence of 20.3%17. While these results are significant, it is hard to draw conclusions from the results due to the lack of representation in the studies’ sample populations. METHODS: A cross-sectional Internet-based survey was conducted in a nationally representative sample of Brazil adults to estimate the prevalence, sociodemographic correlates and characteristics of chronic pain in the Brazilian population.
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