Chronic pain: contemporary concepts and epidemiology
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11603/2411-1597.2026.2.16463Keywords:
chronic pain, epidemiology, characteristicsAbstract
Introduction. The lack of scientific understanding of the epidemiology of chronic pain has led to significant disparities in the allocation of healthcare resources, including a shortage of statistical data and epidemiological studies on chronic pain.
The aim of the study – to analyze contemporary concepts of chronic pain and to summarize current scientific data on its prevalence, epidemiological trends, and impact on quality of life and healthcare systems.
The main part. The study analysed current scientific publications and reports from web-cites and international organisations, in particular the World Health Organisation, available on the Internet. Epidemiological studies show that chronic pain is widespread worldwide: on average, around one in five people suffer from this condition. The findings of numerous studies indicate a substantial burden of pain in Europe and the United States. Earlier studies estimated the global prevalence of chronic pain to be approximately 20 %, suggesting that nearly 1.6 billion people worldwide are affected by this condition. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to estimate the economic losses in Ukraine at present, but it can be assumed that the scale is comparable to that observed in other European countries.
Conclusion. Chronic pain is a highly prevalent and multifactorial public health problem that significantly affects physical health, mental well-being, and quality of life. Epidemiological evidence highlights the growing burden of chronic pain worldwide and underscores the importance of comprehensive prevention and management strategies. Understanding the epidemiological patterns and determinants of chronic pain is essential for improving healthcare policies, optimizing clinical care, and reducing the social and economic consequences associated with chronic pain conditions.
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