title: [Clinical pattern of patients cared for at pain clinic by first time].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Epidemiological studies about frequency and prevalence of chronic pain in Mexico are scarce. However, it has been documented that chronic pain is a frequent complain in general population and mainly in older adults. It influences physical patient capacity and it impacts social health services with its expensive cost. Our objective was to identify the clinical pattern of patients attending at a Pain Clinic by first time.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a descriptive-retrospective study, in a five years period, with patients attending a Pain Clinic by first time. We collected demographic data and information about the cause of pain (malignant vs. non-malignant etiology), its intensity by visual analogue scale (VAS), and type (somatic, visceral, neuropathic and mixed).
  
  
  RESULTS
  1453 clinical records were analyzed. Women were more affected; the average age was 59 +/- 16 years; non-malignant pain and neuropathic pain were more frequent; the intensity average was 6 +/- 2, and it increases with age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is necessary to generate epidemiological studies to fundament health policies regarding the management of these patients.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina del Dolor y Paliativa, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán. alfredocov@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Alfredo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Covarrubias-Gómez
authors.forename: Uriah
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Guevara-López
authors.forename: Argelia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lara-Solares
authors.forename: Antonio C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Tamayo-Valenzuela
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Salinas-Cruz
authors.forename: Rubén
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Torres-González
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D018710:Pain Clinics; D059408:Pain Management; D012189:Retrospective Studies