Retrospective evaluation of the patients with chronic pain admitted to the algology polyclinic between 2000-2010

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the patients who admitted to algology polyclinic with malign and non-malign pain, sociodemographic characteristics, type of pain and pain management retrospectively. Methods: In this study we examined the medical assessement files of patients who admitted to our outpatient clinic of Algology Department for chronic pain between January 2000- December 2010. The sociodemographic characteristics of the patients, pain properties and treatments were reviewed retrospectively. Results: Within the eleven years period, a total of6647patients have been admitted to our clinic. 66.9% of the patients were between the ages of 19 and 64. There was no significant difference between gender. The most common causes of pain were myofascial pain, neuropathic pain, low back pain and headache. Among malignancy related cases the most common sources were gastrointenstinal system, lung and breast regions. In 83.4% of patients, pharmacological and invasive treatments were utilized. The most common invasive treatment modalities were, trigger point injection, dry needle application and epidural catheter application. Conclusion: In conclusion, pain treatments with multidisciplinary approach applied by the increasing number of pain clinics provide favorouble results and patients quality of life is also increased. We hope our retrospective study may provide helpful data for future studies on chronic pain with its comprehensive base of patient data which covers an eleven years period.