Chronic pain: a review.

Chronic pain has been increasing in prevalence. It is considered the most underestimated health care problem impacting quality of life. A number of epidemiological studies conducted in different parts of the world, reported prevalence rates of chronic pain ranging from 12-80%. Chronic pain has detrimental effects on physical and mental health, daily activities, family relationships, employment, and economic well-being of the sufferers and family caregivers. Since the epidemiological studies about chronic pain in Lebanon are limited, the aim of this article is to help understand the magnitude of the problem and to depict strategies for the prevention and management of chronic pain. The article provides a review of the literature on the prevalence of chronic pain and the factors associated with it in adults.