Chronic non-cancer pain in primary care: an Italian cross-sectional study

Chronic non-cancer pain is a complex health condition that affects more than a quarter of the Italian population who mainly refers to general practitioners and primary care for their treatment. There are little information on the epidemiological and clinical characteristics and types of treatments for these patients who suffer from chronic pain. The aim of the study was to provide epidemiological and clinical information about patients with chronic non-cancer pain who refers to GPs for their treatment. An observational, multicentre, cross-sectional study was carried out using retrospectively reviewed clinical records from 29 GPs. Some pharmacoeconomic aspects were also investigated. A total of 1,007 patients who had chronic pain were selected for the study. Chronic pain was more common in women than in men (ratio 2.7 : 1) (P = 0.002). With regard to incomes, the women earned less than the men (P = 0.017). The chronic pain was musculoskeletal (73.4%), mixed (21.4%), neuropathic (4.9%) and visceral (0.3%). More women than men had pain in two or more sites, and 33.5% of the patients reported more than one diagnosis that related to chronic pain. The general practitioners had prescribed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for 71.8% of the cases, opioids for 16.9%, adjuvants for 9.0% and acetaminophen for 2.4%, and about pharmacoeconomic aspects, the total cost for the sample was €111,331.42. Primary care is the essential frontline for patients who suffer from non-cancer pain. An interdisciplinary assessment and approach should start in primary care delivery to maximize the clinical outcomes.