INTRODUCTION: This study evaluates the prevalence of chronic pain, intensity of pain, activity limitation, and pain-related diagnoses in German general practices. METHODS: In 40 general practices, up to 50 consecutive patients presenting to general practitioners (GP) for routine medical consultation were questioned, and those reporting pain that lasted for more than 3 months received a questionnaire referring to intensity of pain and activity limitations. GPs received a questionnaire asking about the duration of treatment and diagnoses. RESULTS: Three hundred forty-six out of 1,860 questioned patients suffered from pain that lasted for more than 3 months (a point prevalence of 18.4% [95% confidence interval 16.7-20.3]). The average degree of pain equaled 5 out of 10 points on a numerical grading scale (NRS); the average degree of activity limitation was 4.8 out of 10. In most cases, the pain was related to musculoskeletal degenerative diseases. CONCLUSION: Chronic pain patients constitute a considerable share of workload in general practice.
INTRODUCTION: This study evaluates the prevalence of chronic pain, intensity of pain, activity limitation, and pain-related diagnoses in German general practices. METHODS: In 40 general practices, up to 50 consecutive patients presenting to general practitioners (GP) for routine medical consultation were questioned, and those reporting pain that lasted for more than 3 months received a questionnaire referring to intensity of pain and activity limitations. GPs received a questionnaire asking about the duration of treatment and diagnoses. RESULTS: Three hundred forty-six out of 1,860 questioned patients suffered from pain that lasted for more than 3 months (a point prevalence of 18.4% [95% confidence interval 16.7-20.3]). The average degree of pain equaled 5 out of 10 points on a numerical grading scale (NRS); the average degree of activity limitation was 4.8 out of 10. In most cases, the pain was related to musculoskeletal degenerative diseases. CONCLUSION:Chronic painpatients constitute a considerable share of workload in general practice.
Authors: Jeffrey A Gudin; Michael J Brennan; E Dennis Harris; Peter L Hurwitz; Derek T Dietze; James D Strader Journal: J Pain Res Date: 2017-10-03 Impact factor: 3.133
Authors: Luis Möckel; Angela Gerhard; Mara Mohr; Christoph Immanuel Armbrust; Christina Möckel Journal: Int Arch Occup Environ Health Date: 2021-06-07 Impact factor: 3.015