TREATMENT OF CHRONIC PAIN IN FAMILY AND COMMUNITY MEDICINE: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Chronic pain is defined as pain that persists for more than three to six months, beyond the expected time for tissue healing. This condition can result from several causes, including chronic diseases, injuries, surgeries, and idiopathic conditions. Chronic pain can be classified into two main types: nociceptive pain, which results from tissue damage, and neuropathic pain, which results from damage or dysfunction in the nervous system. The prevalence of chronic pain is significant, affecting approximately 20% to 30% of the adult population globally. In Brazil, it is estimated that approximately 37% of the population suffers from chronic pain, which represents a major challenge for health systems. Chronic pain is more common in women, the elderly, and individuals with lower socioeconomic status. Therefore, this narrative literature review gathered articles from the main databases aiming to indicate chronic pain treatment strategies in family and community medicine, in addition to the role of the family and community physician during management. It was concluded that the management of chronic pain in family medicine requires a holistic and integrated approach, focusing on education, care coordination, emotional support and continuous monitoring, improving the quality of life of patients.