Background: There is currently a lack of data on chronic pain in general practice.
Methods: Over a period of 2 years, data from 12,271 patients visiting a pain specialist on an outpatient basis were collected. All patients had documented their pain history (German pain questionnaire) via tablet/computer into a databank.
Results: Data from 12,246 patients from 30 pain clinics could be evaluated. The proportion of women was higher (67%). The majority of patients suffered from back pain (52%). The majority of patients were treated with injections (73%), and the majority of physicians were orthopedic surgeons (71%). A minority of patients had received psychological treatment (< 30%).
Conclusion: Comprehensive pain documentation by the patients themselves is possible by means of a computer-based program. Back pain is the main problem in patients visiting a pain specialist. Invasive methods are the mainstay of treatment approaches. The psychosocial background of chronic pain seems to be underestimated in the treatment.
Keywords: Chronic pain; Epidemiology; General practice; Pain documentation; Pain questionnaire.