Prevalence and functional impact of chronic musculoskeletal pain in individuals with physical disabilities

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMD) is the most prevalent in the world population, affecting all age groups. This symptom has an unfavorable impact on the quality of life of individuals, interfering in the performance of tasks of daily living. Studies on the prevalence of CMD and how much these pains have an impact on the specific functionality of people with physical disabilities are still scarce. Objective: To investigate the prevalence of CMD and the functional impact of CMD in individuals with
physical disabilities. Methods: Cross-sectional observational study with 152 individuals with physical disabilities, who answered self-applicable sociodemographic questions about the presence of CMD, specific functionality related to pain (Patient-Specific Functional
Scale), pain intensity (Numerical Pain Scale), use of assistance with locomotion, regular exercise and parasports, in addition to self-reported issues related to physical disability (type, physiological classification and degree of difficulty in ADLs). Results: The prevalence of chronic musculoskeletal pain, persistent for more than 03 months, was 78.29% (n = 119; 95% CI = 70.73 to 84.89). The average of specific functionality (0-10, considering 0 as the worst score), of the main functional task impaired by chronic pain was 2.95 (SD = 1.57). Walking was the most frequently reported function (29.41%; n = 35; 95% CI = 21.99 to 38.58) followed by dressing
(10.92%; n = 13; 6.78 to 18, 29) and weight gain (5.82%; n = 7; 95% CI = 2.60 to 12.18). The two most reported types of disability were hemiplegia and congenital or acquired deformities, each representing 21.92% (n = 32; 95% CI = 15.14 to 28.74) of the sample
followed by amputations (n = 27; 17.88%; 95% CI = 12.31 to 25.13%). The average intensity of the main pain reported by participants with chronic musculoskeletal pain was 6.33 (0-10, considering 0 as the best score) (SD = 1.49) and the most common chronic pain location was the lower back ( n = 30; 19.73%; 95% CI = 13.91 to 27.13), followed by the shoulders (n = 22; 14.47%; 95% CI = 9.49 to 21.31) and knees (n = 16; 10.53% 95% CI = 6.33 to 16.79). Conclusion: CMD is highly prevalent in individuals with physical disabilities and seems to contribute to the decrease in specific functionality in individuals with physical disabilities. The most common chronic pain location was in the lumbar region, followed by the shoulders and knees. Walking was the most impaired function, followed by dressing and weight gain.