Table 1.
Characteristics of the study population (N=213 people with chronic pain)
| Variables | Categories | N | Per cent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sociodemographic data | |||
| Age (N=213) | 18–44 | 91 | 42.7 |
| 45–64 | 122 | 57.3 | |
| Age (N=211) | Mean (SD) | 47.9 (10.96) | |
| Sex (N=213) | Male | 49 | 23.0 |
| Female | 164 | 77.0 | |
| Educational level (N=210) | No education received | 15 | 7.1 |
| Primary studies | 50 | 23.8 | |
| Secondary studies | 70 | 33.3 | |
| Vocational training | 36 | 17.1 | |
| University studies | 39 | 18.6 | |
| Pain | |||
| Duration of pain (years, N=212) | Mean (SD) | 8.99 (9.40) | |
| Median in years | 5 | ||
| Number of sites of pain (N=212) | 1 location | 120 | 56.6 |
| More than 1 location | 92 | 43.4 | |
| The most affected pain site (N=212) | Widespread pain | 34 | 16.0 |
| Head | 25 | 11.8 | |
| Neck (cervical vertebrae) | 17 | 8.0 | |
| Back | 49 | 23.1 | |
| Limbs and/or joints | 70 | 33.3 | |
| Chest | 4 | 1.9 | |
| Abdomen | 8 | 3.8 | |
| Other | 5 | 2.4 | |
| Pain intensity (N=211) | Slight or very slight | 11 | 5.2 |
| Moderate | 94 | 44.5 | |
| Severe | 75 | 35.5 | |
| Unbearable | 31 | 14.7 | |
| Number of medical pain consultations in the last year (N=199) | Mean (SD) | 3.60 (4.139) | |
| Currently taking pain relief medication (N=213) | No | 67 | 31.5 |
| Yes | 146 | 68.5 | |
| Opinion on the care received (N=196) | Very unsatisfied | 12 | 6.1 |
| Unsatisfied | 21 | 10.7 | |
| Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied | 35 | 17.9 | |
| Satisfied | 85 | 43.4 | |
| Very satisfied | 43 | 21.9 | |
| Mood | |||
| Sadness (N=213) | Not at all | 62 | 29.1 |
| A little | 37 | 17.4 | |
| Some | 51 | 23.9 | |
| Quite a lot | 38 | 17.8 | |
| A lot | 25 | 11.7 | |
| Anxiety and distress (N=212) | Not at all | 64 | 30.0 |
| A little | 41 | 19.3 | |
| Some | 41 | 19.3 | |
| Quite a lot | 39 | 18.4 | |
| A lot | 27 | 12.7 | |
| Family and social environment | |||
| The individual considers that his/her pain affects his/her family (N=212) | Not at all | 111 | 52.4 |
| A little | 27 | 12.7 | |
| Some | 39 | 18.4 | |
| Quite a lot | 27 | 12.7 | |
| A lot | 8 | 3.8 | |
| Impact on relationships with friends (N=212) | The relationship has been lost because of my pain | 8 | 3.8 |
| The relationship has deteriorated | 39 | 18.4 | |
| Nothing has changed in the relationship | 164 | 77.4 | |
| The relationship has improved | 1 | 0.5 | |
| Satisfaction with the support received from the family (N=213) | Very unsatisfied | 4 | 1.9 |
| Unsatisfied | 7 | 3.3 | |
| Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied | 38 | 17.8 | |
| Satisfied | 91 | 42.7 | |
| Very satisfied | 73 | 34.3 | |
| Employment environment | |||
| Sick leave (N=206) | No | 141 | 66.2 |
| Yes | 65 | 31.6 | |
| Left or lost employment (N=207) | No | 179 | 84% |
| Yes | 28 | 13.5 | |