ISSN : ISSN: 2572-5548
Tacson Fernandez
Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, UK
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis
DOI: 10.21767/2572-5548-C1-003
Chronic pain is common globally. People who through no fault of their own have their lives demolished by pain deserve our help. Prof. Henry Mc Quay, from Oxford clearly highlights the plight of chronic pain sufferers in his article - Help and hope at the bottom of the pile in the BMJ 2008. A detailed reference in the chief medical officer�¢����s report also highlighted the importance and impact of chronic pain on the society. The report aimed to raise awareness to the fact that patients with chronic pain are underserved and there is a need for medical attention to the field of chronic pain. Chronic pain is a serious problem globally with significant socio-demographic, economic and health related concerns. Estimates suggest that 20% of adults suffer from pain globally and 10% are newly diagnosed with chronic pain each year. By 2030, the WHO predicts that the four leading contributors of global burden of disease, chronic pain is an important co-morbidity associated these. The economic impact of pain is greater than most other health conditions due to effects on rates of absenteeism, reduced levels of productivity and increased risk of leaving the labor market. A US study showed lost productivity amounting to $61/���£32.34 billion per year due to chronic pain, while a UK report confirmed ���£3.8 billion cost of management of adolescent pain alone. There is need for a conscious and concerted effort for the global medical fraternity to take notice of the current and future impact of this underrecognized and under-treated condition that has significant consequences on the global health image, global economy and most importantly people�¢����s lives. The discussion will include early diagnosis and management options such as neuromodulation and their cost effectiveness in complex chronic pain patients.