EPIDEMIOLOGIJA BOLI

Božidar Ćurković

Acute pain is the most common symptom for which patients seek medical care. Chronic pain is severe and frequent health care problem in terms of patient suffering and economic implications for the society. More than half of chronic pain related to musculoskeletal pain. Epidemiological studies on pain are limited by inconsistencies in definition, identification, and evaluation. The reported prevalence ranges from 8 to 80%. A World Health Organization Study in Primary Care showed persistent pain in 22% of primary care patients and Survey of chronic pain in Europe showed chronic pain in 19%. Because, the large variation in frequency and the inconsistent relationship between persistent pain and disability we need to consider the global concept of chronic pain with implications for management and prognosis. Epidemiological research should have as goal the development effective healthcare interventions through better understanding of pain, impact on the individual and society.

Akutna bol je najčešći simptom zbog kojeg osoba traži medicinsku pomoć. Kronična bol je značajan zdravstveni problem kako za pojedinca tako i za zajednicu. Više od polovine kroničnih bolova spada u kategoriju mišićnokoštane boli. Epidemiološke studije su limitirane nejasnom defi nicijom kronične boli, poteškoćama u identifikaciji i evaluaciji pa nije čudno da su podaci o prevalenciji u opsegu od 8 do 80%. Podaci Svjetske zdravstvene organizacije pokazuju prevalenciju kronične boli od 22% a europsko praćenje od 19%. Zbog velikih varijacija u frekvenciji i nekonzistentnom odnosu boli i nesposobnosti potreban nam je globalni koncept o kroničnoj boli koji bi u konačnici doveo do boljeg liječenja i prognoze. Epidemiološka istraživanja imaju za cilj razvoj efikasne zdravstvene skrbi kroz bolje razumijevanje boli i njenog utjecaja na pojedinca i zajednicu.