Department of Pain Medicine, New Delhi Pain Management Centre, New Delhi, India.
Pain Pract. 2014 Feb;14(2):E51-62. doi: 10.1111/papr.12132. Epub 2013 Dec 4.
Chronic pain is of concern to health professionals, patients, society, and negatively impacts quality of life (QoL). The present epidemiologic study identified point prevalence of chronic pain in India, impact on individual's QoL, unveiling current pain treatment practices, and levels of satisfaction with treatment.
This epidemiological telephonic survey consisted of two questionnaires: screening questionnaire that assessed prevalence of pain, its frequency during the past week, intensity during last episode, sites of pain, and main causes, and in-depth questionnaire that evaluated demography, frequency, duration, and intensity of pain; impact of pain on QoL; respondent's perception regarding the attitude of their family, friends, and doctors toward their pain.
A total of 5004 respondents were included from eight cities across India. The overall point prevalence of chronic pain was 13%, and the mean intensity of pain on NRS scale was 6.93. Respondents with chronic moderate and chronic severe pain were 37% and 63%, respectively. Pain in knees (32%), legs (28%), and joints (22%) was most prevalent. Respondents with chronic pain were no longer able to exercise, sleep, maintain relationships with friends and family, and maintain an independent lifestyle. About 32% of patients lost ≥4 hours of work in the past 3 months. Majority (68%) of respondents were treated for pain with over the counter (OTC) drugs, and most were taking NSAIDs (95%).
A significant population of India suffers from chronic pain, and their QoL is affected leading to disability. A proportion of respondents receiving pain treatment were taking nonprescription medications with a majority of respondents on NSAIDs. A very few were consulting pain management specialists.
慢性疼痛引起了医疗保健专业人员、患者、社会的关注，对生活质量（QoL）产生负面影响。本项流行病学研究确定了印度慢性疼痛的时点患病率，揭示了当前的疼痛治疗实践和治疗满意度，评估了疼痛对个体 QoL 的影响。
这是一项基于电话的流行病学调查，包括两个问卷：筛查问卷评估疼痛的患病率、过去一周的疼痛频率、上次发作的疼痛强度、疼痛部位和主要原因；深入问卷评估人口统计学、疼痛的频率、持续时间和强度；疼痛对 QoL 的影响；受访者对其家人、朋友和医生对其疼痛的态度的看法。
共纳入来自印度八个城市的 5004 名受访者。慢性疼痛的总体时点患病率为 13%，NRS 量表上的平均疼痛强度为 6.93。慢性中度和慢性重度疼痛的患者分别为 37%和 63%。膝关节（32%）、腿部（28%）和关节（22%）疼痛最常见。患有慢性疼痛的受访者无法再进行锻炼、睡眠、与朋友和家人保持关系以及维持独立的生活方式。过去 3 个月中，约 32%的患者因疼痛损失≥4 小时的工作。大多数（68%）接受疼痛治疗的患者使用了非处方（OTC）药物，其中大多数使用了非甾体抗炎药（95%）。
印度有相当一部分人患有慢性疼痛，这对他们的生活质量产生了影响，导致残疾。接受疼痛治疗的受访者中，有一定比例的人在使用非处方药物，其中大多数人在使用非甾体抗炎药。极少数人在咨询疼痛管理专家。
