ABSTRACT
Background and aims The prevalence of chronic non-cancer pain has not been specifically reported in Chile. Methods In order to assess its prevalence and impact, we designed a tool based on previously published survey studies. We analyzed a sample of 784 subjects to determine the prevalence of chronic non-cancer pain, with a maximum variability of 50%, a confidence interval (CI) of 95%, and an estimation error of 3.5%. Finally, a cross-sectional cell phone survey was conducted on a nationally representative probability sample of 865 subjects of over 18 years, in November 2013. The prevalence of chronic non-cancer pain was estimated by using expansion factors according to national projections by age group and gender, from the Chilean National Institute of Statistics for the year 2010. Results The estimated prevalence of chronic non-cancer pain was 32.1% (95% CI: 26.5-36.0). The respondents with chronic non-cancer pain presented the following results: 65.7% had moderate pain, and 20.8%, severe pain; 65.6% had somatic pain, 31.7% neuropathic pain, and 2.7% visceral pain. Approximately 70% reported they were receiving some kind of pharmacological treatment with certain frequency. In 64.9%, medication was prescribed by a physician. The prevalence of sick leave in workers was 30.22%, with a median duration of 14 days (interquartile range: 14; range: 1-60). Conclusions Chronic non-oncological pain occurs in 32% of Chilean adults. These figures provide the first measurement of chronic non-cancer pain in the Chilean population. Implications Chronic non-oncological pain impact as a public health problem is revealed, given the high prevalence found, and the elevated private and social costs involved.
Subject(s)
Activities of Daily Living/psychology , Affect/physiology , Chronic Pain , Quality of Life/psychology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Chile/epidemiology , Chronic Pain/epidemiology , Chronic Pain/physiopathology , Chronic Pain/psychology , Chronic Pain/therapy , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Young AdultABSTRACT
Existen escasos estudios sobre prevalencia de dolor crónico no oncológico en nuestro país. Objetivo: Realizar y presentar un instrumento validado que permita estimar la prevalencia y el impacto del dolor crónico no oncológico en Chile. Método: Se diseñó un instrumento basado en European Survey of Pain, Pain Survey U.S. Population, Canadian Chronic Pain Survey y la Encuesta Prevalencia de Dolor de la Federación Latinoamericana de Dolor. Se realizó una encuesta sobre teléfonos móviles, en un estudio piloto, en una muestra probabilística representativa a nivel nacional de 20 sujetos, mayores de 18 años de edad. Resultados: Se realizó un instrumento validado de 27 secciones, en el cual se determinó una prevalencia de 30,2 (IC95 por ciento: 22,5 37,4). Conclusiones: Presentamos un instrumento validado con el objetivo de determinar la prevalencia y las características clínicas del dolor crónico no oncológico a nivel chileno...
There are few studies on the prevalence of chronic non-cancer pain in our country. Aim of Investigation: To make and present a validated instrument that will allow to estimate the prevalence and impact of chronic non-cancer pain in Chile. Methods: We designed an instrument based on the European Survey of Pain, the US Population-Based Pain Survey, the Canadian Chronic Pain Survey and the Latin American Federation of Pain Prevalence Survey. A cross sectional cell phone survey was conducted in a pilot study in a nationally representative probability sample of 20 subjects, over 18 years old. Results: We made a validated instrument of 27 sections, the prevalence of chronic non-cancer pain was 30.2 (95 percent CI 22.5 - 37.4). Conclusions: We present a validated instrument to determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of non-cancer chronic pain in Chilean people...
