EU Initiatives

Results show that treatments across Europe are failing sufferers

The Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX) sponsored a survey under more than 1,000 chronic pain sufferers across Europe. The survey called "The Painful Truth Survey: The State of Pain Management in Europe" was supported by three organizations; Action in Pain UK, the Spanish Pain Association (EFHRE Sine Dolore) and the German Pain League (Deutsche Schmerzliga). Key results of this survey are that millions of patients continue to suffer on a daily basis, even after trying several treatment options. More than a third of sufferers still struggle with daily tasts affecting their work, personal lives, relationships and the ability to care for their children.

In Europe, chronic pain is one of the most common conditions for which people seek medical attention. About a third of sufferers indicate their chronic pain has lowered their household income by about 31% (averaging €5,000 annually), chronic pain costs the European healthcare system €300 billion a year. An estimated 90% of this can be attributed to indirect costs such as lost productivity, social security and welfare payments.

The organizations involved with the Painful Truth Survey call for governments in Europe to develop national plans for chronic pain management that go beyond the traditional diagnosis and treatment routes. Another point of improvement is better access to innovative treatment options that may not only benefit patients, but also health economies through demonstrated cost effectiveness.

For more information on the opinions of the three supporting organizations on the results of this survey, please have a look into the official article.

Here you can find the full The Painful Truth Survey.