Clinico Epidemiological Profile of Patients Attending the Pain Clinic of SMHS Hospital GMC Srinagar

Background: Chronic pain represents a significant public health challenge worldwide, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where healthcare access and awareness are limited. Pain clinics play a crucial role in providing specialized, multimodal management strategies for patients suffering from persistent pain syndromes. Despite the increasing recognition of chronic pain, there remains a scarcity of detailed data from this region.Aim:The present study aimed to evaluate the clinico-epidemiological profile, comorbidities, pain characteristics, and treatment outcomes of patients attending the Pain Clinic at SMHS Hospital, Srinagar.Methods:A hospital-based observational study was conducted, enrolling 200 patients presenting with chronic pain. Detailed demographic information, socioeconomic status, pain type, pain sites, comorbidities, and treatment modalities were recorded. Standardized tools were used to classify pain intensity and type. Patients were followed up to assess treatment response and quality of life outcomes. Data were analyzed and presented in descriptive form with tables for clarity.Results: Out of 200 patients, 61% were female and the mean age was 56.3 years. A majority belonged to the middle-income group (51%). Nociceptive pain was most common (56%), followed by neuropathic (29%) and visceral (15%). Back pain (42%) and knee pain (23%) were the leading presenting complaints. Moderate pain intensity was reported by 62% of patients. Comorbidities included hypertension (37%), diabetes (26%), osteoarthritis (30%), obesity (19%), and depression (14%). NSAIDs (74%) were the most frequently prescribed medications, followed by physical therapy (39%) and antidepressants (23%). Interventional procedures such as nerve blocks (14%) and epidural steroid injections (8%) were selectively applied. At follow-up, 77% of patients reported significant pain reduction and 64% showed improvement in quality of life.Conclusion:Chronic pain was more prevalent among middle-aged and elderly women, with musculoskeletal disorders being the predominant cause. A combination of pharmacological,non-pharmacological, and interventional therapies provided meaningful relief and enhanced quality of life for most patients. The findings emphasize the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to pain management and the need to strengthen pain clinic services in tertiary care settings for better long-term outcomes.