Prevalence of pain in general practice

Abstract

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence and diagnostic pattern of pain at the primary care level during one year in a group practice. This practice serves the patients of a geographically defined area with approximately 14,000 inhabitants. DESIGN Retrospective analysis of all computerised records of a GP group practice during one year, using a combined computerised search technique and manual check‐up. SETTING Tumba Primary Care District, Stockholm County, Sweden. SUBJECTS All records of patients who visited Tumba primary care practice during one year. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Pain diagnoses, pain duration, analgesic use, pain category, and referrals. RESULTS Little less than 30% of the patients, who were treated at a primary care practice, had some kind of medically defined pain problem, requiring the attention of a GP. A little less than half of these patients received a prescription for analgesic drugs. The pain diagnoses at a primary care level showed a predominance of musculoskeletal pain. The patients with pain were much older than population and total practice patients. Among the patients, 37% were in a state of acute pain, 37% suffered from chronic pain, 13% had an intermediate pain duration of 1–3 months, and 11% had a chronic intermittent pain condition (predominantly migraine). CONCLUSIONS Painful states of the musculoskeletal system constitute more than 2/3 of painful states in primary care. Viewed from a primary care perspective, pain has a great impact on GPs' day‐to‐day activities and on health economy in general.