Evaluation of the results of a survey conducted among persons suffering from chronic pain

Journal Title: BÓL - Year 2015, Vol 16, Issue 1

Abstract

Epidemiological studies suggest that chronic pain affects approximately 27% of the adult Polish population [1]. Recent patients’ survey on chronic pain and its treatment took place in Poland and in Europe more than 10 years ago [1,2], therefore authors of this publication decided to use an anonymous online survey to investigate the chronic pain sufferers’ opinions on pain treatment, in particular the perception of opioids use. The study involved 618 adults with chronic pain of various etiologies. Half of these people suffer from chronic pain for more than 5 years, and one-third for more than 10 years. As many as 28% of chronic pain patients are not treated by physicians or treat the pain by themselves, and patient looking for a doctors’ advice usually come to the GPs (38%). Only 26% of respondents have used opioids, both strong and weak. According to patients’ reports opioids are usually prescribed by anesthesiologists in pain clinics and by palliative care specialist. Primary source of information about the drug is a doctor in case of opioids, while in the case of other analgesics such source is the Internet. Approximately half of the respondents are not satisfied with pain treatment, but up to 29% people taking strong opioids are satisfied with treatment effectiveness. Opioids cause much more concerns than non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, but intensity of these concerns is not greater than on antidepressants and antiepileptics. The results of the observational study indicate a low utilization of opioids in chronic pain treatment, despite moderate concerns and relatively high satisfaction with treatment effectiveness. It seems, that it is appropriate to introduce a broader education of medical students and different medical specialists on the chronic pain management in order to provide patients with strong opioids treatment according to international experts recommendations.

Authors and Affiliations

Magdalena Kocot-Kępska, Jan Dobrogowski, Krystyna Zdziechowska, Izabela Czyżak

Keywords

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  • EP ID EP69190
  • DOI 10.5604/1640324x.1151389
  • Views 129
  • Downloads 0

How To Cite

Magdalena Kocot-Kępska, Jan Dobrogowski, Krystyna Zdziechowska, Izabela Czyżak (2015). Evaluation of the results of a survey conducted among persons suffering from chronic pain. BÓL, 16(1), 9-19. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-69190