Prevalence of chronic pain in adult population of the Russian Federation: an all-Russian epidemiological study

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OBJECTIVE

To study the prevalence of chronic pain in adult population of the Russian Federation (RF).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A survey of adult Russians was conducted through all-Russian telephone survey. A random sample (n=1600) represents adult population by gender, age and type of settlement. Coverage includes all federal districts and at least 80 regions.

RESULTS

Chronic pain (> 3 months) was reported by 43% of respondents. Women and individuals aged ≥ 60 years most often described chronic pain. Respondents noted 1—2 pain locations (15% in each case); 13% of Russians named three or more locations. The most common localities of chronic pain were lower back pain (37%), knee pain (35%), and headache (25%). The greatest duration of chronic pain was observed in hands, knee joints and chest. Most respondents sought care for chronic pain syndrome. More than half of respondents (58%) take painkillers as prescribed by a doctor, 24% — by their own choice, and 37% of respondents use physical therapy to reduce pain. According to our data, 45% of respondents are failed to perform certain physical actions due to chronic pain, 38% decreased their ability to work and about 25% of respondents report sleep disorders and irritability.

CONCLUSION

We established the prevalence of chronic pain among adults in our country. Characteristics of chronic pain can vary depending on gender, age and type of settlement.

Keywords:

pain

chronic pain

epidemiological study

prevalence

Authors:

M.V. Churyukanov

Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University);
Petrovsky Russian Scientific Center of Surgery

ORCID: 0000-0001-6542-1963

O.S. Davydov

Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology

ORCID: 0000-0003-3252-4311

M.L. Kukushkin

Research Institute of General Pathology and Pathophysiology

ORCID: 0000-0002-9406-5846

N.N. Yakhno

Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University

SPIN RSCI: 6438-3370
Scopus AuthorID: 7004210424
ORCID: 0000-0002-8255-5645

Received:

24.03.2025

Accepted:

07.04.2025

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