PAIN CLINIC ATTENDERS - AN AUDIT

An audit of the first 135 referrals to a new Multidisciplinary Pain Cl inic was conducted. Demographic data, pain experience and pain effects were recorded. Chronic Non-Malignant Pain was the diagnosis found mos t frequently. In that group, the mean duration of pain was seven years , the mean number of surgical operations was 1.95 and the mean number of medications being consumed at the time of presentation 3.5. Impaire d occupational, social and recreational functioning was noted. Twice a s many women were affected as men and all educational and socio-econom ic groups were represented. Patient profiles were similar to data publ ished on chronic pain patients attending the Mayo Clinic, Minnesota, U SA.