OBJECTIVE

To investigate the differences and similarities of sociodemographic properties and pain conditions of patients seen at our institution compared to other studies conducted throughout the world.

METHODS

Our study included the results of 772 patients who applied to our polyclinic between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2007. In our polyclinic, all patients are queried with respect to the items contained on the "Pain Assessment Form" before the diagnosis and their answers are recorded. Their demographic characteristics, such as age, gender, occupation, marital status, education, and economic status, are also recorded on the forms. For the detailed pain anamnesis, the following factors are questioned and recorded on the pain assessment form: the location, quantity and starting time of pain, its period, the factors that increase and decrease the pain, duration of pain, and prior medication.

RESULTS

The most frequent complaints were in the low back, shoulder and head. The three most frequent diagnoses were low back pain, musculoskeletal pain and headache. Visual analogue scale (VAS) value was found to be 7.3. Seventy-three percent of patients suffered from chronic pain. Pain was mostly accompanied by weakness, muscle weakness, insomnia, nausea, and vomiting. The most frequent treatments were medical treatments along with invasive pain therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Knowledge of sociodemographic characteristics and close investigation of patients' responses to the treatments are important. When medical treatment is insufficient, invasive pain treatment should be administered by an experienced pain therapy practitioner. Informing patients and their relatives about the applied treatment may increase treatment success.