[Distribution of pain parameters for chronic pain patients in comparison to the general population]

The study analyzes pain complaints of chronic pain patients in comparison to representative data from the general population.

In a cross-sectional study 493 patients from different health care settings were interviewed about their pain during the previous 12-month and the currently strongest pain. Locations, frequency, intensity and duration of pain, restrictions in daily activities and utilization of therapies were assessed. For comparison data from the German federal health survey 1998 (n=6702) was used.

The patients experienced pain more frequently and more severely than the general population. The largest difference was found in limitations of daily activities. Several qualitative similarities were observed, e.g. for the relative frequency of pain locations. Most patients reported multiple pain locations. The number of reported pain locations increased with intensity and duration of pain. Women reported more frequent and stronger pain than men, utilized more therapies and underwent more often alternative treatments.

The high prevalence of pain complaints in both samples indicates the importance of early pain prevention, adequate diagnosis and treatment in order to obviate the development and chronification of pain.