Chronic pain is a health condition that affects a significant number of people in Chile. It has been estimated that About 30% of adults in the country experience chronic pain, and this prevalence is significantly higher in women, reaching double the prevalence compared to men. But what are the factors that contribute to this high prevalence of pain in women?
Women not only do they experience chronic pain more frequently, but they also tend to report more intense pain. Reports in Chile indicate that pain in women significantly interferes with their daily activities, self-care, social functions, and mood. In the workplace, chronic pain is a common cause of absenteeism.
60.7% of women with chronic pain have needed to take medical leave, especially in the age group of 30 to 49 years, which is the most affected. Due to the greater prevalence and severity of pain, women tend to use health services more frequently than men. However, a significant percentage of them consider that current treatments are not effective.
This leads to a high use of maladaptive techniques, such as avoidance and resignation, which is associated with a greater prevalence of depression and other mood disorders, exacerbating the perception of pain.
At the Brain Health Institute of the Adolfo Ibáñez University (BrainLat), we are committed to researching the factors associated with chronic pain and its influence on brain health and the healthy longevity of patients.
Our objective is gain a deep understanding of demographic characteristics, the specific health conditions, and the emotional and functional impacts that contribute to the high prevalence of pain in women in our country. With this knowledge, we seek to develop effective strategies to improve the quality of life of those who suffer from this condition.
* BrainLat researcher, Adolfo Ibáñez University.
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