Chronic pain affects one in four adults in Spain

On World Pain Day, medical organizations in Spain have highlighted the significant impact of chronic pain on the population. Data from the Spanish Society of Neurology (SEN) indicates that over 30% of people in Spain suffer from some form of pain, with 18% experiencing chronic pain lasting more than three months. Approximately 26% of adults in the country live with chronic pain, and 27% are unaware of its underlying cause.

Neuropathic pain, caused by damage or dysfunction in the nervous system, is particularly concerning. It affects between 7% and 10% of the global population and is considered the most disabling type of chronic pain. In Spain, more than 3 million people suffer from neuropathic pain, and up to 60% of chronic pain patients have a neuropathic component. Experts note that diagnosis delays are common, affecting up to 60% of these patients.

The Spanish Multidisciplinary Society of Pain (SEMDOR) is advocating for a coordinated, multidisciplinary healthcare approach. This model suggests that effective management requires integration between doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists, dentists, and pharmacists to address the physical, functional, and psychological aspects of pain.