Today a team of European pain experts launched a White Paper highlighting the extensive inadequate management of chronic pain, calling for governments to make the prevention and management a higher priority. The White paper indicates to governments across Europe that a resolution for these problems requires urgent action in order to improve outcomes for the one in five individuals across Europe who suffer from chronic pain.

Dr Magdi Hanna, member of OPENMinds, Consultant in Pain Medicine and Director of the Analgesics & Pain Research Unit in Beckenham, Kent, said:

” The research we have included in the White Paper reveals an alarmingly high prevalence of uncontrolled chronic pain in our communities. This serious public health problem must be addressed as a priority and people suffering from pain must receive comprehensive evaluation and assessment by skilled healthcare professionals.”

The impact of chronic pain, from both personal and societal perspectives are highlighted in the White Paper. Individuals who suffer with chronic pain may have depression and a reduced quality of life. Chronic pain can also have huge costs for society, such as the direct costs of health and social care connected with poor management as well as the costs that come from carers of sufferers not being able to work. It has been estimated that in the UK alone that back pain costs the economy £12.3 billion each year.

Data from a survey conducted in 2003 has revealed that a third of individuals who suffer from chronic pain surveyed in Europe are not being treated, and a later review concluded that approximately half of patients with cancer pain are undertreated. Members of OPENMinds state that this may be because both the public and health care professionals only have a limited understanding and knowledge regarding chronic pain, which can also lead to misdiagnoses. Governments are being urged to work together with educational institutes in order to review existing guidance and to improve training regarding chronic pain for healthcare professionals, along with undertaking targeted public education.

The White Paper also verifies that restrictions on the availability and accessibility of treatments, including opioids, continues.

Professor Hans Kress, President of the European Federation of Chapters of the International Association for the Study of Pain (EFIC), states:

“Despite the existence of inexpensive and effective pain relief medicines, millions of Europeans continue to suffer from severe, chronic pain each year without adequate treatment. Pain relief is a human right, as recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Human Rights Watch, so EU Member States should make effective management of chronic pain and access to treatments a public health priority, as recommended by OPENMinds and EFIC.”

OPENMinds had made five suggestions to improve outcomes for the millions of individuals who suffer from chronic pain:

  • The priority of chronic pain as a public health issue should be increased
  • Allocation of appropriate resources to pain case services
  • Education of healthcare professional as well as the public
  • Establishing multidisciplinary pain assessment and management clinics
  • Ensuring availability and accessibility of suitable pain medications and the promotion and support of further investigations

Dr. Hanna concludes:

“By implementing our recommendations, national governments will be taking a step towards reducing human suffering and reducing the massive strain on costs linked to uncontrolled chronic pain.”

The world’s largest multidisciplinary organization focussing specifically on pain research and treatment, International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP), believes that, at present, pain management is inadequate due to substandard access to assessment and treatment, and a failure to recognize that chronic pain is a serious chronic health problem. The World Health Organization has continually drawn attention to the barriers to access to controlled drugs resulting from legislation and policy, knowledge and societal attitudes and economic aspects, including affordability. OPENMinds believes it is time for this to change.

Written by Grace Rattue