Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Head, face and neck pain affects a large portion of the world population, however there are few studies reporting this condition in general Brazilian population. This study aimed at investigating the prevalence of head, face and neck pain and its impact on the quality of life of adults of Piracicaba city, Sao Paulo. METHODS: The sample was made up of 400 volunteers of both genders, aged between 20 and 50 years, who were randomly approached in six crossing points of the city. Socio-demographic, pain prevalence, location, frequency, duration and severity, and self-perception of quality of life data were collected by means of anonymous self-applied questionnaires: Orofacial Pain Questionnaire and WHOQOL-BREF. RESULTS: Pain prevalence was 54.75%, of predominantly severe intensity (21.30%), daily recurrence (41.10%) and present for more than six months (91.32%). Most affected region was the head (36%) being the intraoral region the less frequently reported (6%). There has been no significant association between pain and factors such as age, economic level and education (p>0.05); however there has been significant prevalence among females. No pain was frequently associated to better quality of life (p<0.05). Volunteers reporting pain were more unhappy with quality of sleep (p<0.05), however there has been no significant association with the frequency of negative feelings. CONCLUSION: The study has identified high prevalence of head, face and neck pain, significant morbidity of people affected by this condition and its negative impact on quality of life.
Highlights
METHODSEpidemiology may be defined as the “study of distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specific populations and the application of this study to control health problems”[1]
The study has identified high prevalence of head, face and neck pain, significant morbidity of people affected by this condition and its negative impact on quality of life
The high prevalence of head, face and neck pain and its negative repercussions on quality of life (QL) of individuals have been the focus of public health investigations, due to the morbidity that may be caused by such conditions
Summary
METHODSEpidemiology may be defined as the “study of distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in specific populations and the application of this study to control health problems”[1]. Notwithstanding the relevance of such symptoms, Brazilian epidemiological studies involving the general population are still scarce and most of them use convenience samples such as populations linked to treatment clinics or assistance units, which makes difficult the establishment of social and health policies prioritizing and making feasible adequate prevention and treatment, minimizing health costs and especially the distress of those suffering pain, especially chronic pain. This study aimed at estimating the prevalence and characteristics of head, face and neck pain in the general adult population of the city, and at correlating them to health and QL selfperception. This study aimed at investigating the prevalence of head, face and neck pain and its impact on the quality of life of adults of Piracicaba city, São Paulo. Volunteers reporting pain were more unhappy with quality of sleep (p
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