BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Neuropathic pain is a complex, painful condition, difficult to diagnose and treat with a negative impact on patients' health and quality of life. The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between pain and quality of life, identifying the limiting aspects in the daily life of these individuals, so that patient education is recommended in the management of this condition. METHODS: This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted in a Pain Clinic with 61 patients diagnosed with neuropathic pain. The tools used to assess the quality of life were a semi-structured interview, the Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questions questionnaire, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF. RESULTS: Of the patients, 57.3% were women, average age 50.6±13.12 years. As for the educational level, 59% attended elementary school, and 61% were married. In 39%, diseases were the main causes of pain and physical problems as the main changes after pain (57%). The majority of patients had a positive attitude towards neuropathic pain (68%). The physical domain was the most impaired in quality of life. All the domains of the quality of life assessment instrument had Cronbach's alpha coefficients (<0.700) with average adherence, especially the general domain, with Cronbach's alpha negative (-0.055). CONCLUSION: Knowing the aspects of the impact of pain on patients' quality of life comes to be a useful scientific resource in the clinical practice and encourages a model of educational intervention where the client is the main subject in managing their painful condition.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chronic neuropathic pain has a multifactorial origin and several coping strategies. The objective of this study was to identify, analyze the different coping strategies for chronic neuropathic pain, relate them with sociodemographic characteristics, pain intensity, and alexithymia. METHODS: A descriptive and cross-sectional study involving 61 patients with neuropathic pain who attended the Pain Clinic from August to December 2017. The instruments used to collect the data of patients with neuropathic pain were a semi-structured interview, the Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questions questionnaire, the Alexithymia Scale, and the Problems Coping Mode Scale. RESULTS: Of the 61 patients with neuropathic pain, the majority were female, with a mean age of 50.67±13.12 years, low schooling, with a spouse, with diseases as the leading cause of pain, positive attitudes to cope with neuropathic pain despite the physical problems such as major changes after pain. CONCLUSION:The results of the present study allowed us to conclude that the coping strategies of patients with neuropathic pain, according to the application of the Alexithymia Scale and the Problems Coping Mode Scale, that the highest scores were in religious practices, social support and focus on the problem. The alexithymia of this group was higher, especially in the subgroup of men with chronic neuropathic pain.