European Pain Survey Yields Stunning Conclusions

“Chronic pain of moderate to severe intensity occurs in 19% of adult Europeans, seriously affecting the quality of their social and working lives. Very few were managed by pain specialists and nearly half received inadequate pain management. Although differences were observed between the 16 countries, we have documented that chronic pain is a major health care problem in Europe that needs to be taken more seriously.” “Forty percent had inadequate management of their pain.”

There are opportunities to improve pain management and care of patients living with chronic pain in Europe. These are large numbers of under-serviced Europeans in chronic pain.

Survey of chronic pain in Europe: prevalence, impact on daily life, and treatment., Breivik H, Collett B, Ventafridda V, Cohen R, Gallacher D.Eur J Pain. 2006 May;10(4):287-333. Epub 2005 Aug 10.