Brazilian Journal of Pain
https://brjp.org.br/article/doi/10.5935/2595-0118.20190020
Brazilian Journal of Pain
Original Article

Prevalence and factors associated with chronic neuropathic pain in workers of a Brazilian public university

Prevalência e fatores associados à dor neuropática crônica em trabalhadores de uma universidade pública brasileira

Igor Garcia Barreto; Katia Nunes Sá

http://dx.doi.org/10.5935/2595-0118.20190020 BrJP, vol.2, n2, p.105-111, 2019
PDF English
PDF Português
SciELO
Downloads: 0
Views: 576

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although it is a public health problem, the prevalence of chronic pain, especially in workers, is underestimated. The present study aims to estimate the prevalence of chronic pain and chronic neuropathic pain in workers of a federal public institution and to identify the associated factors.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study conducted in a stratified random sample of civil servants of a federal higher education institution, between October 2017 and March 2018. Standardized questionnaires involving sociodemographic characteristics and life habits were applied. For those with chronic pain (duration equal to or greater than three months), a questionnaire with pain characteristics was also applied, including a body map, the visual analog scale, and the neuropathic pain questionnaire Doleur Neuropathic 4. The prevalence of chronic pain was estimated, and the Poisson model was used to test the associations between variables (5% of alpha).

RESULTS: In a sample of 108 active civil servants, chronic pain was found in 50% of the sample (95% CI=40.6-59.4) and chronic neuropathic pain in 12% (CI 95%=6.9-19.2). No associations were found between chronic pain and sociodemographic characteristics or life habits. An independent association was confirmed between the frequency of pain and neuropathic pain, where continuous pain in relation to the occasional pain showed a prevalence ratio of 5.17 (CI95% CI=1.69-15.79, p=0.004).

CONCLUSION: Chronic pain had a high prevalence in the institution, being continuous in workers with neuropathic pain. The severity of this type of pain requires urgent actions for its control.

Keywords

Chronic pain, Pain measurement, Risk factors

Resumo

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: Embora seja um problema de saúde pública, a prevalência de dor crônica, especialmente em trabalhadores, é subestimada. O presente estudo teve o objetivo de estimar a prevalência de dor crônica e de dor neuropática crônica em trabalhadores de uma instituição pública federal e identificar os fatores associados.

MÉTODOS: Estudo de corte transversal conduzido em amostra aleatória estratificada de servidores de uma instituição de ensino superior federal, entre outubro de 2017 e março de 2018. Foram aplicados questionários padronizados envolvendo características sociodemográficas e hábitos de vida. Para os que tinham dor crônica (duração igual ou maior que três meses), foram também aplicados um questionário de características dolorosas, envolvendo um mapa corporal, a escala visual analógica e o questionário de dor neuropática Doleur Neuropathic 4. A prevalência de dor crônica foi estimada e o modelo de Poisson utilizado para testar as associações entre as variáveis (alfa de 5%).

RESULTADOS: Em uma amostra de 108 servidores ativos, a dor crônica foi encontrada em 50% da amostra (IC95%=40,6-59,4), sendo 12% (IC95%=6,9-19,2) com características neuropáticas. Não foram encontradas associações entre dor crônica e características sociodemográficas ou hábitos de vida. Foi confirmada a associação independente entre a frequência de dor e dor neuropática, onde a dor contínua em relação à ocasional apresentou razão de prevalência de 5,17 (IC95%=1,69-15,79; p=0,004).

CONCLUSÃO: A dor crônica apresentou elevada prevalência na instituição, sendo contínua em trabalhadores com dor neuropática. A gravidade desse tipo de dor exige ações urgentes para seu controle.

Palavras-chave

Dor crônica, Fatores de risco, Mensuração da dor

References

Merskey H, Bogduk N. Classification of Chronic Pain: descriptions of chronic pain syndromes and definitions of pain terms. 1994.

Tomé-Pires C, Solé E, Racine M, Galán S, Castarlenas E, Jensen MP. The relative importance of anxiety and depression in pain impact in individuals with migraine headaches. Scand J Pain. 2016;13:109-13.

Uhlig BL, Sand T, Nilsen TI, Mork PJ, Hagen K. Insomnia and risk of chronic musculoskeletal complaints: longitudinal data from the HUNT study, Norway. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2018;19(1):128.

Bair MJ, Robinson RL, Katon W, Kroenke K. Depression and pain comorbidity: a literature review. Arch Intern Med. 2003;163(20):2433-45.

Relieving Pain in America: a blueprint for transforming prevention, care, education, and research. 2011.

Stewart WF, Ricci JA, Chee E, Morganstein D, Lipton R. Lost productive time and cost due to common pain conditions in the US Workforce. JAMA. 2003;290(19):2443-54.

Saastamoinen P, Leino-Arjas P, Laaksonen M, Lahelma E. Socio-economic differences in the prevalence of acute, chronic and disabling chronic pain among ageing employees. Pain. 2005;114(3):364-71.

Fayaz A, Croft P, Langford RM, Donaldson LJ, Jones GT. Prevalence of chronic pain in the UK: a systematic review and meta-analysis of population studies. BMJ Open. 2016;6(6).

Takura T, Ushida T, Kanchiku T, Ebata N, Fujii K, DiBonaventura Md. The societal burden of chronic pain in Japan: an internet survey. J Orthop Sci. 2015;20(4):750-60.

Von Korff M, Scher AI, Helmick C, Carter-Pokras O, Dodick DW, Goulet J. United States National Pain Strategy for Population Research: concepts, definitions, and pilot data. J Pain. 2016;17(10):1068-80.

Leão Ferreira KA, Bastos TR, Andrade DC, Silva AM, Appolinario JC, Teixeira MJ. Prevalence of chronic pain in a metropolitan area of a developing country: a population-based study. Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2016;74(12):990-8.

Sá K, Baptista AF, Matos MA, Lessa I. Prevalence of chronic pain and associated factors in the population of Salvador, Bahia. Rev Saude Publica. 2009;43(4):622-30.

De Moraes Vieira EB, Garcia JB, da Silva AA, Mualem Araújo RL, Jansen RC. Prevalence, characteristics, and factors associated with chronic pain with and without neuropathic characteristics in São Luís, Brazil. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2012;44(2):239-51.

Lambert M. ICSI releases guideline on chronic pain assessment and management. Am Fam Physician. 2010;82(4):434-9.

Liedgens H, Obradovic M, De Courcy J, Holbrook T, Jakubanis R. A burden of illness study for neuropathic pain in Europe. Clin Outcomes Res. 2016;8:113-26.

Vissers KC. The clinical challenge of chronic neuropathic pain. Disabil Rehabil. 2006;28(6):343-9.

Alves MI. Compreender a Dor Neuropática Crónica. 2009.

Meucci RD, Fassa AG, Faria NM, Fiori NS. Chronic low back pain among tobacco farmers in southern Brazil. Int J Occup Environ Health. 2015;21(1):66-73.

Höfelmann DA, Blank N. Self-rated health among industrial workers in Southern Brazil. Rev Saude Publica. 2007;41(5):777-87.

Bouhassira D, Lantéri-Minet M, Attal N, Laurent B, Touboul C. Prevalence of chronic pain with neuropathic characteristics in the general population. Pain. 2008;136(3):380-7.

de Lima DF, Levy RB, Luiz Odo C. Recommendations for physical activity and health: consensus, controversies, and ambiguities. Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2014;36(3):164-70.

Petersen MR, Deddens JA. A comparison of two methods for estimating prevalence ratios. BMC Med Res Methodol. 2008;8:9.

Coutinho LM, Scazufca M, Menezes PR. Methods for estimating prevalence ratios cross-sectional studies. Rev Saude Publica. 2008;42(6):992-8.

Kreling MC, da Cruz DA, Pimenta CA. Prevalence of chronic pain in adult workers. Rev Bras Enferm. 2006;59(4):509-13.

Elzahaf RA, Johnson MI, Tashani OA. The epidemiology of chronic pain in Libya: a cross-sectional telephone survey. BMC Public Health. 2016;16(1):776.

Harifi G, Amine M, Ait Ouazar M, Boujemaoui A, Ouilki I, Rekkab I. Prevalence of chronic pain with neuropathic characteristics in the Moroccan general population: a national survey. Pain Med. 2013;14(2):287-92.

VanDenKerkhof EG, Mann EG, Torrance N, Smith BH, Johnson A, Gilron I. An epidemiological study of neuropathic pain symptoms in Canadian adults. Pain Res Manag. 2016;2016.

Bouhassira D, Attal N, Alchaar H, Boureau F, Brochet B, Bruxelle J. Comparison of pain syndromes associated with nervous or somatic lesions and development of a new neuropathic pain diagnostic questionnaire (DN4). Pain. 2005;114(1-2):29-36.

Submitted date:
12/11/2018

Accepted date:
03/20/2019

5f21c17c0e8825263be56d7d brjp Articles
2595-3192 (Electronic) 2595-0118 (Printed)
BrJP ©2024 All rights reserved.

BrJP

Share this page
Page Sections