Chronic pain affects one-third of adults in Latin America

According to the Latin American Federation of Associations for the Study of Pain (Fedelat), approximately 33% of the adult population in Latin America lives with chronic pain. This condition, defined by symptoms persisting for three months or longer, can significantly impact physical health, emotional well-being, mobility, and social relationships.

In observance of World Pain Day on October 17, medical professionals are emphasizing the necessity of timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment to avoid the risks of self-medication. Chronic pain can stem from various causes, including musculoskeletal issues, neuropathic conditions related to the nervous system, or nociplastic pain involving altered pain signal processing.

While specific prevalence data for Bolivia is currently being gathered through a National Survey on Chronic Pain Epidemiology, regional studies indicate varying rates of specific conditions, such as a 5.5% migraine prevalence in the country compared to higher rates in other analyzed nations.