Epidemiology of Non-Oncological High-Impact Chronic Pain in Ecuadorian Adults in 2022

Abstract

Background: There are limited data on non-oncological high-impact chronic pain (HICP) in Ecuador; we report the epidemiological characteristics of HICP. Materials & methods: In this cross-sectional study, we included a random sample of adult individuals who had cell phones. Results & conclusion: The weighted prevalence of HICP was 9.0%: 12.3% for women and 5.6% for men (p = 0.001). HICP was more frequently localized in the lower back and affected the economically active population. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were more commonly used; however, 61% of patients indicated that the effectiveness of their management was low. Overall, HICP had a negative impact on daily life activities. The effectiveness of the current treatment was low and should include an integrated approach.

Plain language summary

We report the frequency, characteristics and associated factors of non-cancer high-impact chronic pain (HICP) in Ecuador. HICP refers to pain that has been felt constantly in the last 3 months. Women were more often affected, and the pain was more commonly localized in the lower back. Most patients indicated that their pain treatment was poor. HICP was common and had a negative impact on daily life activities. The current treatment of HICP must consider the physical and mental aspects of the people who suffer from it; this requires a combination of treatments such as drugs, exercise, physical rehabilitation and mind–body interventions.

Tweetable abstract

The first study of high-impact chronic pain (HICP) in Ecuador. HICP is more frequent in women, who are more severely affected. Current treatment of HICP has low efficacy and should be more holistic. Local health providers should be trained in the management of HICP.

Keywords::

• chronic pain
• Ecuador
• epidemiology
• high-impact chronic pain
• non-oncological pain
• pain management

Supplementary data

To view the supplementary data that accompany this paper please visit the journal website at: www.futuremedicine.com/doi/suppl/10.2217/pmt-2023-0055

Author contributions

D Martineau: conception and design of the work; interpretation of data; revising the work. M Fornasini: design and interpretation of the work; revising the work. D Suárez: work acquisition; revising the work. M Paz: design of the work; revising the work. C Valarezo: conception and design of the work; revising the work. E Loor: work acquisition; revising the work. M Guerrero: conception and design of the work; interpretation of data; revising the work. M Baldeon: conception or design of the work; acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data for the work; drafting the work or revising. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank the study participants.

Financial disclosure

This study was partially funded by Federación Latinoamericana de Asociaciones para el Estudio del Dolor – FEDELAT. Grunenthal, Ecuador. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Competing interests disclosure

The authors have no competing interests or relevant affiliations with any organization or entity with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Writing disclosure

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Ethical conduct of research

This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Code: EO-42-2021, v2.

Additional information

Funding

This study was partially funded by Federación Latinoamericana de Asociaciones para el Estudio del Dolor – FEDELAT. Grunenthal, Ecuador. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.