Prevalence of chronic pain in a metropolitan area of a developing country: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of chronic pain (CP) in the adult population living in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, and to identify factors associated with CP in developing countries. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using a computer-assisted telephone interview in a two-stage stratified sample of adults living in households. RESULTS: 2,446 subjects were interviewed. The mean age was 39.8 years old. The majority was female and 42.7% had less than 10 years of education. The prevalence of CP was 28.1%. The independent factors associated with CP were female gender (OR = 2.0; p < 0.001), age older than 65 years (OR = 1.4; p = 0.019) and less than 15 years of education (OR = 1.3-1.6; p < 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of CP was high and similar to that which has been reported in developed countries. These results raise awareness about CP and may potentially help clinicians and policy makers to design better health care programs for CP treatment in these populations.

Prevalence of chronic pain in a metropolitan area of a developing country: a population-based study / Prevalência de dor crônica em área metropolitana de um país em desenvolvimento: um estudo populacional

ABSTRACT Objective To estimate the prevalence of chronic pain (CP) in the adult population living in the city of São Paulo, Brazil, and to identify factors associated with CP in developing countries. Methods A cross-sectional study using a computer-assisted telephone interview in a two-stage stratified sample of adults living in households. Results 2,446 subjects were interviewed. The mean age was 39.8 years old. The majority was female and 42.7% had less than 10 years of education. The prevalence of CP was 28.1%. The independent factors associated with CP were female gender (OR = 2.0; p < 0.001), age older than 65 years (OR = 1.4; p = 0.019) and less than 15 years of education (OR = 1.3-1.6; p < 0.04). Conclusions The prevalence of CP was high and similar to that which has been reported in developed countries. These results raise awareness about CP and may potentially help clinicians and policy makers to design better health care programs for CP treatment in these populations.

RESUMO Objetivo Estimar a prevalência de dor crônica (DC) na população adulta residente na cidade de São Paulo, Brasil, e assim identificar os fatores associados com DC em países em desenvolvimento. Método Estudo transversal utilizando entrevista por telefone auxiliada por computador em duas etapas numa amostra estratificada de adultos domiciliados em São Paulo. Resultados 2446 indivíduos foram entrevistados. A média de idade foi 39,8 anos. A maioria foi do sexo feminino e 42,7% tinham menos de 10 anos de escolaridade. A prevalência de DC foi de 28,1%. Os fatores independentes associados à DC foram gênero feminino (OR = 2,0; p < 0,001), idade superior que 65 anos (OR = 1,4; p = 0,019) e menor que 15 anos de escolaridade (OR = 1,3-1,6; p < 0,04). Conclusão A prevalência de DC foi alta e próxima à reportada em países desenvolvidos. Estes resultados irão auxiliar profissionais de saúde e gestores a realizarem programas de avaliação e tratamento de dor crônica mais ajustados à realidade local.