65 Chronic Pain and Quality of Life in Schizophrenic Patients

Abstract

Objective: To identify the prevalence and characteristics of chronic pain in schizophrenic patients and to compare the quality of life in patients with and without chronic pain. Methods: Crossover design with a probablistic sample of 205 adult schizophrenic outpatients (80% paranoid schizophrenia). Socio-demographic, psychiatric disorder, pain and quality of life (WHOQOL-brief) data were collected between June and September 2008. Results: Mean age was 37 years, 65% were men, and the mean time spent in school was 9 years; 87% were single, 65% lived with parents and 25% had a job. Among patients with chronic pain, 70% did not receive treatment for pain. Regarding quality of life, patients with pain had more physical disabilities compared to those without pain (p < .001). There were no differences in other domains. Comparisons between patients with and without pain did not show any differences in how much they felt their mental health problems disabled them. Conclusion: Chronic pain was common in schizophrenic patients (similar to the general population of a similar age) and decreased their quality of life. It is necessary to pay more attention to this co-morbidity.

Prevalence of chronic pain in Brazil: a descriptive study

“…Females had a higher presence in most samples 9,12,14,[16][17][18] . Only in two studies, males prevailed 10,13 . One study failed to present the quantity of the sample distributed by gender 11 , and one of the samples had an equitable representation among peers 15 .…”

“…Of these, after the screening, 11 studies were included. One article was excluded because it was published in two different journals, totaling a sample of 10 papers [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18] . The total population of the selected studies was 8,508 individuals, of which the samples ranged from 60 15 to 2,297 12 participants.…”

Prevalence of Pain Reporting and Associated Health Outcomes Across Emerging Markets and Developed Countries

“…Research conducted in Russia has reported prevalence rates of over 30% for those experiencing low back pain [22], 13% for chronic generalized pain [23], and 46% for various types of arthralgia [24]. Research in Brazil has largely focused on pain reported by specific populations [25] or in conjunction with comorbid conditions [26]. A 2006 survey of adult employees found that nearly two-thirds of participants reported having a chronic pain condition, particularly among women [27], while a recent population-based survey found a high rate of back pain (12%) among respondents [28].…”