Abstract

Introduction: Pain results in deterioration of the emotional and social status of children and young people with cerebral palsy (CP). Prevalence values are high and vary between 32 and 69%. Despite of these figures, pain is under- estimated by parents and health care team. Objective: Quantify the number of patients with chronic pain according to their ability to communicate and establish the association between pain, age and severity of the Gross Motor Function Classification (GMFCS). Method: Cross-sectional descriptive and analytic study in 8 to 20 year-old with CP. A questionnaire was administered to parents and caregivers to establish the presence of and characterize chronic pain. Results: 187 patients were included; 51% (IC95%:43,6-58,0%) experien- ced chronic pain, corresponding to 54% (IC95%: 45,0-62,0%) of patients that are able to communicate and 43% (IC95%: 29-57%) unable to communicate. Chronic pain was observed mainly in lower extremities, with weekly or daily frequency, of moderate to severe intensity, which limits regular activities in more than 50% of patients. no significant association was observed between the presence of chronic pain, age and GMFCS. Conclusion: Findings provide important information to improve the quality of care for patients with CP and chronic pain. Systematic evaluations must be implemented in order to provide timely and effective treatment for pain.