559: Chronic Pain as a Silent Epidemic: Population-Based Evidence from Southern Brazil

Topic: Education, Societal Impact, and Others
Subtopic: Epidemiology

Background and Aims: Chronic pain is a multidimensional sensory and emotional experience that persists beyond tissue healing and represents a major global public health challenge. Despite its high prevalence, population-based data in low- and middle-income regions remain scarce, particularly at subnational levels. Understanding regional patterns of chronic pain is essential for guiding health policies, prevention strategies, and resource allocation. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of chronic pain among adults residing in the state of Paraná, southern Brazil, and to characterize its demographic and clinical features, with special attention to sex, age distribution, and educational level.

Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive epidemiological study was conducted using an online survey distributed statewide. Adults aged ≥18 years residing in Paraná were invited to participate. The questionnaire collected sociodemographic data and information on pain presence, duration, and characteristics. Chronic pain was defined as pain lasting longer than three months. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential tests, including Spearman correlation and chi-square tests, performed with SPSS version 21.0. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: A total of 434 individuals participated in the study. Most respondents were women (62%) and aged between 26 and 34 years. Overall, 52.8% of participants reported experiencing chronic pain. Higher prevalence was observed among women and individuals with higher educational levels, including those with completed higher education (24%). Chronic pain was reported across different age groups, reinforcing its widespread nature. Statistical analyses revealed significant associations between chronic pain and demographic variables, highlighting relevant sociodemographic disparities in pain distribution within the population.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates a high prevalence of chronic pain in adults living in Paraná, consistent with national and international estimates, and reinforces chronic pain as a silent epidemic. The predominance among women underscores persistent sex-related disparities in pain experiences. These findings emphasize the urgent need for regionally tailored public health strategies focused on prevention, education, and multidisciplinary pain management. Population-level data such as these are crucial to inform health policies, optimize resource allocation, and improve quality of life for individuals living with chronic pain, particularly in underrepresented regions.

References: International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP). IASP Terminology and Pain Definition. 2020.
Goldberg DS, McGee SJ. Pain as a global public health priority. BMC Public Health. 2011.
Breivik H, et al. Survey of chronic pain in Europe. Eur J Pain. 2006.
Souza JB, et al. Prevalence of chronic pain in Brazil: systematic review. Rev Saúde Pública. 2017.
Vos T, et al. Global burden of disease: pain-related conditions. Lancet. 2020.

Presenting Author: Sibele de Andrade Melo Knaut
Submitting Author: Sibele de Andrade Melo Knaut

Senior Author: Sibele de Andrade Melo Knaut

IASP 2026 Global Year theme of Neuropathic Pain: No

• Marina Pegoraro Baroni: PhD - Universidade Estadual do Centro-Oeste
• João Afonso Ruaro: PhD - Universidade Estadual do Centro-Oeste
• Luiz Alfredo Braun Ferreira: PhD - Universidade Estadual do Centro-Oeste