Clinical and demographical profile of chronic muscleskeletal pain patients assisted at Brazilian Health Public System

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to determine the demographic and clinical profile of patients with muscle-skeletal chronic pain.  One hundred and fifty patients were evaluated, being divided in three groups according to the clinical setting of origin: Basic Unit of Health (BUH), City Specialty Clinic (CSC) and University Clinic (UC).It was observed a strong female predominance in the three groups.(BUH - 74%; CSC - 66%; UC - 80%). The observed age distribution showed that most of the patients from BUH were above 60 years old (50%) and most patients of the other two units were between 41 and 60 years old. In relation to joint distribution, most part of patients at the BHU presented with involvement of less than 4 joints (60%) and at the UC more than 4 joints (60%). At the CSC, most of the complains were localized at the vertebral spine. Unspecific diagnoses were reported more often at the BUH (40%) than at the CSC (20%) and UC (16%). There were less discontinuation of treatment at the UC in relation to the BUH and CSC. At the BHU 28% of patients reported continuous treatment in comparison to 74% of the CSC and 92% at UC. At worsening of pain, most patients of BHU used self-medication, while at the CSC and UC patients followed medical prescription. It was concluded that the secondary and tertiary levels of health institutions (CSC, UC) are able to treat pain patients with diseases of higher complexity.