BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Pain is one of the major complaints leading people to look for physical therapy. When uncontrolled, pain negatively influences quality of life. This study aimed at measuring pain intensity and quality of patients of the Clinic School of Physical Therapy, Catholic University of Minas Gerais, Poços de Caldas Campus. METHOD: Participated in this study 102 patients of both genders, evaluated before the first physical therapy session by the Mini Exam of Mental Status, Numeric Visual Scale, Brief Pain Inventory, McGill Pain Questionnaire, Beck's Inventory of Depression and WHO's abbreviated quality of life scale. RESULTS: Pain was referred by 65.5% of patients, with mean intensity of 6.4 for the worst pain in the last 24 hours. Major characteristics were: in sting (58.8%), tiresome (57.4%) and uncomfortable. Pain was located in lower limbs for 23% of patients, and for 25% pain would worsen with maintained postures. There were no signs of depression, however pain has interfered with daily life activities, such as work and ability to enjoy life. CONCLUSION: There has been prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in lower limbs for most patients, which has substantially interfered with their Professional activities, since movements and maintained postures were major pain worsening factors. Pain intensity was higher in people not believing in God and, with regard to quality of life, pain has significantly interfered with daily activities, emotional and social conditions, and with the ability to enjoy life.
McGill pain questionnaire; Pain; Pain evaluation; Pain visual analog scale
