Four in 10 Irish people suffer from undiagnosed chronic pain due to arthritis and other musculoskeletal problems, a European survey has found.
The survey, conducted by the Arthritis Action Group, found that 42 per cent of chronic pain cases in Ireland remain undiagnosed and 25 per cent of sufferers have never seen a doctor about the condition.
Men are less likely than women to see their doctor about arthritic pain. Lack of diagnosis is particularly common among younger people; 58 per cent of undiagnosed sufferers are between the ages of 18 and 44.
Sufferers seeking help are likely to be elderly, female and in constant pain, the survey found.
"It is clear from this survey that attitudes to pain in our community are poorly
informed and that many people do not ever seek help or treatment," Dr Douglas Veale, chairman of Arthritis Action Ireland, said.
He noted that a large number of sufferers were not aware that there were treatments for their condition and thought it would be a waste of time going to a doctor.
Forty-three per cent thought they shouldn't trouble their doctor with "aches and pains" while 40 per cent agreed with the statement, "Nothing can be done to improve your condition".
Arthritis had been afforded a low priority in terms of resources, Dr Veale said, which was particularly worrying when there was a growing ageing population.
"The impact of chronic pain on the quality of life
highlighted by this survey requires immediate political action and the recognition of chronic pain as a major healthcare priority," he said.
