Prevalence of chronic pain in elderly people at a physiotherapy clinic in the interior of São Paulo and its influence on daily activities

Abstract

A chronic condition is a common problem among the elderly, compromising their quality of life and functionality. This study aims to determine the prevalence of chronic pain in patients treated in a physical therapy clinic outside of São Paulo and evaluate its impact on daily activities. This is a transversal, descriptive and quantitative research, with data collected between 2019 and 2021, involving 49 children with an average age of 72.5 years. Structured questionnaires were applied, including the Katz Index and the Lawton Scale, to assess functionality and impact. A statistical analysis is based on frequency distributions and descriptive measures. The results indicate that 63.3% of the participants were women. The story was most frequently reported by Joel (28.6%), followed by the Lombard colony (21.4%). Most of the participants described it as intense (51.0%) and specific week hours for demonstration (62.7%). The combined treatment of medication and physiotherapy was used by 75.5% of the participants, with simple analgesics being the most used drugs. Despite the presence of the sun, 91.8% of children remain independent of daily activities. It is concluded that this chronic disease has a high prevalence and significantly impacts children, making it essential to adopt integrated therapeutic approaches. An adequate management, which considers both the physical and emotional aspects, can contribute to the better quality of life of the population. Additional studies are necessary to improve treatment and intervention strategies.