Chronic pain and rheumatic diseases in Europe - statistics & facts
Rheumatic diseases include ailments such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout which in severe cases can leave the sufferer unable to do basic daily tasks. Chronic pain has been defined as pain that lasts longer than three months despite the use of medication or therapy. Rheumatic diseases commonly cause chronic pain, although there are more conditions that can be the cause, such as back pain, fibromyalgia, and nerve damage. In particular, back pain is becoming an increasingly common problem in Europe due to, in part, inactive lifestyles.
