BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:
Epidemiological data on chronic pain in different populations are scarce in Brazil. This study aimed at investigating the prevalence of neuropathic pain and possible associated factors in diabetes type 2 patients, of a teaching center.
METHODS:
This was a transversal study with individuals seen between March 2010 and March 2011, in the Medical Outpatient Setting of Specialties, University of Southern Santa Catarina, Tubarão, SC, with interviews to identify socio-demographic variables of age, gender and time elapsed after diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and application of tools to measure neuropathic pain, depression, glycemia and adhesion to treatment.
RESULTS:
Participated in the study 72 subjects, being 69.4% females, 15.3% with controlled glycemia levels at the moment of the interview, 90.3% were adherent to treatment and 33.3% had depressive symptoms. The prevalence of neuropathic pain was 16.7% and this was associated to time of diabetes mellitus 2 (p=0.031).
CONCLUSION:
The prevalence of neuropathic pain was similar to that observed in other places of the country and we suggest better follow up of the studied population with regard to depression and adhesion to medication to treat diabetes.
Chronic pain; Complications of diabetes; Diabetes mellitus; Diabetic neuropathies