Some 2,725 children and adolescents in Lleida suffer from severe chronic pain associated with illnesses and injuries, which is 5% of the province's underage population. The figure became known at a conference organized by Fibrolleida at the Auditori Enric Granados on the occasion of World Central Sensitization Syndromes Day.
The data coexisted with another deficiency that focused part of the debate. Jordi Miró, professor of Health Psychology at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili, warned that childhood chronic pain affects thousands of minors and, at the same time, there is not a single specialized program for the treatment of childhood chronic pain, while there are programs for adults.
More than 45% of minors between 8 and 18 years old suffer from mild pain
Miró maintained that the problem goes far beyond the most severe cases. More than 45% of minors between eight and 18 years old suffer from mild chronic pain, such as that associated with growth.
During his speech in Lleida, the specialist defined the situation with a strong expression.
"Chronic pain in children is a silent epidemic" - Jordi Miró, professor of Health Psychology, Universitat Rovira i Virgili
He then linked this lack of specific resources to clinical management. Miró indicated that pharmacological treatment alone is not enough and added that it ends up causing secondary problems. His conclusion was brief: sensitivity is needed.
Fibrolleida estimates 14,000 people affected by central sensitization syndromes in the province
The conference also focused on the adult population affected by these pathologies. Fibrolleida estimates that about 14,000 people in the province suffer from central sensitization syndromes such as fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and multiple chemical sensitivity.
Carme Fabregat, president of the entity, demanded healthcare attention and asked for the patients' suffering to end. The event was held under the slogan "No one will be alone" and sought more social awareness and recognition of these diseases.
For his part, Dr. Felipe Infiesta related fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue to metabolic alterations linked to diet. Infiesta assured that, when patients regain normal weight and regulate their metabolism, the symptomatology of fibromyalgia improves significantly or practically disappears.
Chronic pain had already been the focus of a specific edition of the Fundació de la Marató de TV3 in 2006, and that program has been maintained since 2007 thanks to aid from private funds.