Abstract

OLIVEROS, DARÍO; ARRIETA, MARIBEL; CAJIGAS, ELISA  and  VALERO, EDMUNDO GONIMA. CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PATIENTS CONSULTING CHRONIC PAIN CLINIC OF HOSPITAL MILITAR CENTRAL, 20-YEAR HISTORY. rev.fac.med [online]. 2011, vol.19, n.1, pp.102-111. ISSN 0121-5256.

This study aims to identify the demographic profile of patients who come to the Chronic Pain Clinic of the Hospital Militar Central to consult regarding chronic nonmalignant pain, who have been evaluated in an integral and multidisciplinary way. The medical records of the patients assisted in the Chronic Pain Clinic of the Hospital Militar Central (HMC) between April 1989 and April 2009. A total of 291 patients were randomly selected as a representative sample for a trust interval of 95%. A survey questionnaire was used, which included 26 descriptors evaluating demographic and epidemiological data, and emotional response and affectation in adjustment areas due to the presence of chronic pain in these patients. Multiple statistical data were found. A relevant datum was to find a profile of patients related to the military forces by 90% (95% significance level, CI 86-93%) among military and non-military officers and their beneficiaries. 49.4% are military personnel (95% significance level, CI 43-55% ). Chronic lumbar pain stands out as the most prevalent item - 41.2% (95% significance level, CI 35-47%), and the one related to upper or lower limbs, 11.6% (95% significance level, CI 7.8-15%). Most common diagnoses in mental health provided by the psychology and psychiatry sections were adjustment disorders in 59% of the cases (95% significance level, CI 53-64.9%), and depression disorder at 18% (95% significance level, CI 14-22.8%). An 81% commitment degree was found in the work force in patients aged less than 65 (95% significance level, CI 76.65%) due to chronic pain, and 86.3% (0.5% significance level, CI 80-92%) among those from 15 to 30 years old. To conclude, chronic pain as a high-cost disorder in the general population is an important factor in labor absence leaves or inability among patients consulting at the Chronic Pain Clinic of the HMC. There is a lack of studies to define whether the military population is more susceptible in comparison with the non-military population.

Keywords : pain clinics; pain; low back pain.

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