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

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.

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