HERRERA SILVA, J. et al. Epidemiological study of pain in Andalusia (Spain). []. , 19, 5, pp.239-251. ISSN 1134-8046.

Aims: a study on chronic pain has been performed in a sample of people in Andalusia, in order to assess its prevalence, features, diagnosis, treatment, and impact. Material and methods: a cross-sectional survey with stratified randomised sampling, including 1,200 phone interviews on pain was performed in people aged > 18 years in Andalusia, by means of the CATI system (Computer Assisted Telephone Interviewing) designed by IMC (Instituto de Investigación, Marketing y Comunicación, Sevilla). Results: from 1,200 interviewees, a sample of 405 patients with recent pain was obtained (30% of participants with current pain; 3.8% with pain in previous month but not currently). 15.5% of participants have chronic pain. Mean intensity is 5.4 (on a 1-10 scale). Most common sites are back, legs and knees; and rheumatologic pain is the most common type. Impact on quality of life is high. 77.5% of people with pain use prescribed oral drugs. About half of participants have heard about pain units, and have a positive opinion on them. Conclusions: current data provide information on the presence of pain in Andalusian population, and will be useful to build up strategies to deal with it.

: Pain; Treatment; Quality of life; Andalusia.

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