SUMMARY
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the influence of
chronic pain on functionality and its consequences on
work and
patient income .
METHODS: A total of 103
patients from the
Multidisciplinary Pain Center of the Clinics
Hospital of Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais were interviewed between January 2020 and June 2021, applying
questionnaires on
mobile devices . Socioeconomic data, multidimensional characterization of
pain , and instruments for assessing
pain functionality and intensity were analyzed.
Pain intensity was categorized as mild, moderate, or intense for comparative
analysis . Ordinal
logistic regression was used to identify
risk factors and variables that jointly influence the outcome of
pain intensity .
RESULTS: The
patients had a median age of 55 years, were predominantly
female , married or in a stable relationship,
white race , and completed
high school . The median
family income was R$2,200. Most
patients were retired due to disability and
pain -related causes. Functionality
analysis showed severe disability directly associated with
pain intensity . The financial impacts observed were correlated with the
pain intensity of the
patients . Age was a
risk factor for
pain intensity , while
sex ,
family income , and duration of
pain served as
protective factors .
CONCLUSION: Chronic pain was associated with severe disability, decreased
productivity , and exit from the labor market, with a negative impact on financial condition. Age,
sex ,
family income , and duration of
pain were directly associated with
pain intensity .