Chronic Non-Cancer Pain in the UAE: A Review of Clinical Challenges in Practice

Chronic non-cancer pain (i.e. non-cancer pain that lasts ≥ 3 months) is common, complex and a distressing long-lasting morbidity. The Global Burden of Disease Study 2016 restated that chronic pain is an insidious public health burden and a leading cause of disability globally. However, chronic non-cancer pain in the UAE has received little attention and insufficient information is available on the social, cultural, psychological determinants and management-care available in the region. If left untreated chronic non-cancer pain can lead to a myriad of negative effects on patients’ physical and psychological well-being as well as adverse effects on quality of life and work productivity. The condition poses a significant financial burden to patients, families and society at large. Various treatment options including non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions exists, but there are number of challenges with the current clinical management options. Further, in the UAE, the receding increase in sedentary behavioural lifestyle may further adversely impact the prognostics and consequences of chronic non-cancer pain. In this commentary, we expand on the current confronting challenges in the management of chronic non-cancer pain in the UAE in the pursuit of highlighting some contextual factor that could help meet patient’s health needs in the region.