An epidemiological comparison of pain complaints in the general populationof Catalonia (Spain)

Epidemiological studies help to establish the health status in a country an d allow a better allocation of economic resources. This survey estimated pa in prevalence in Catalonia (Spain), analysed its relationship with demograp hic variables and evaluated pain-associated disabilities. The study was car ried out in 1964 adults via phone interviews asking about any pain complain t they experienced in the last 6 months, regardless of its intensity and du ration. Overall pain prevalence was 78.6%, significantly lower in men, with a trend to decrease with age. Back (50.9%), head (42%) and legs (36.8%) we re the most affected locations. Less educated people reported, in general, higher prevalences. Pain described to be most annoying was related to muscu loskeletal disease (26.2%) and migraines (16.5%). Pain was either very seve re or unbearable in 33% of the sample, with women and older people reportin g higher intensities. Personal and social activities were affected in 25.4% of cases and in 10.4% they became virtually impossible. Both the limitatio n of activity and the need for bed rest, which occurred in 19.6% of those w ho suffered pain, were more common amongst unemployed people, whereas 10.2% of workers had to take days off work due to pain, and 3.3% were fully inca pacitated by it. In conclusion, the prevalence of pain was clearly higher a mong women, with an inverse relationship to age. Back pain and headaches we re most prevalent and pain was rated as very severe to unbearable in one th ird of the patients. Pain-associated disabilities were a frequent finding. The present survey reports that pain is a substantial problem in the Catalo nian population and generally reflects the characteristics of data previous ly reported in Anglo-saxon and Scandinavian countries. (C) 1999 Internation al Association for the Study of Pain. Published by Elsevier Science B.V.