Determinants of chronic pain among adults in urban area of Udupi, Karnataka, India

Background: Chronic pain is very common in Asian communities. It is a major cause of activity limitation and has a significant impact on individuals and society. One of the most common ailment for which patients seek for medical care is pain. This study was performed in the urban area to study the association of some of the modifiable risk factors of chronic pain. Objective: To estimate the prevalence and associated risk factors of chronic pain among adults residing in the Urban area of Udupi Taluk in Karnataka, India. Methods: The cross-sectional study included 360 participants of above 18 years of age. The participants were recruited using Simple Random Sampling technique from January 2017 to June 2017. Descriptive and analytical methods were used to estimate the prevalence and to identify the associated risk factors. Results: It was observed during the study that prevalence of chronic pain for adults older than 18 years was 62%. Low back pain and knee pain were the common ailments reported. About 50% of those who reported chronic pain, had the complaint for more than 5 years and reported more than six in Visual analogue scale. The postural factors associated with chronic pain were lifting weight, bend trunk heavily during work, repetitive movement of neck, trunk and shoulder, lifting hand above shoulder level and experience of fall. Conclusion: Present research revealed that higher prevalence of chronic musculoskeletal pain exists in the urban population of Udupi Taluk, which was influenced by repetition of same joint movement, trauma and depression irrespective of the other risk variables.