Across Latin America, nearly a third to over half of the population experiences chronic pain, with women and older adults disproportionately affected, according to a recent assessment of pain education in the region. This widespread issue highlights a significant public health concern, as chronic pain can severely impact quality of life and daily functioning.
Unlike acute pain, which is a normal response to injury or illness, chronic pain persists for more than three months and can be constant or intermittent, occurring anywhere in the body and stemming from a variety of causes.
“Chronic pain is due to injuries, infections, or diseases that patients suffer from,” explains Dr. Pedro Salvador Rivera, Medical Manager of Oste-dolor at Adium Centroamérica y el Caribe. “The most common types of chronic pain can present in the joints, back, head, neck, cancer pain, fibromyalgia, or neuropathic pain.”
This type of pain significantly affects those who live with it, disrupting daily routines and, in some cases, leading to disability.
Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, is a particularly impactful chronic condition, affecting mobility for millions worldwide. The World Health Organization estimates that over 500 million people globally are affected by this chronic, multifactorial disease, which causes progressive deterioration of joint cartilage.
“The cartilage that protects the ends of the bones wears away, causing pain, inflammation, stiffness, and a sensation of friction in the affected joint,” emphasizes the specialist. “The hips and knees are most commonly impacted.”
The World Health Organization stresses the importance of preventing and controlling osteoarthritis, which primarily affects older individuals, especially postmenopausal women, significantly reducing their quality of life.
Several factors contribute to the increasing prevalence of osteoarthritis, including population growth, increased life expectancy, obesity, and aging. In the Americas, the latter two factors are particularly relevant, with 67.5% of adults living with overweight or obesity and a rapidly aging population.
In Guatemala, 30% of adults live with obesity, and individuals aged 60 or older represent 5.6% of the population.
Dr. Rivera notes that the disease can also develop at younger ages in individuals with obesity, physically demanding jobs, or those participating in high-impact sports.
“It’s important to remember that this musculoskeletal condition is one of the leading contributors to years lived with disability,” he adds.
While there is no cure for osteoarthritis, several measures can help manage the condition and improve quality of life. These include maintaining a healthy weight and diet, engaging in daily physical exercise, avoiding repetitive movements that strain the joints, protecting joints from injury, adapting home furnishings to reduce joint pressure, and using assistive devices to facilitate daily activities.
“Changing lifestyle habits and following appropriate treatments can significantly improve a patient’s quality of life,” says the medical specialist from Adium Centroamérica y el Caribe. “A treating physician can recommend changes to daily routines to delay the onset of the disease. In moderate cases, viscosupplementation may be included, or in more severe cases, joint replacement.”
A global study estimates that cases of knee osteoarthritis will double in the next 25 years, representing a 74.9% increase in the number of people affected. Given this concerning projection, establishing preventative strategies focused on modifiable risk factors in vulnerable populations is crucial.
Source: Adium
