Complex regional pain syndrome type I: impact on work activities of working age individuals. Case reports

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Complex regional pain syndrome type I causes personal and social losses to the affected subject. The objective of this study was to analyze life, health and working condition of subjects with this syndrome, of working age, in a city in the countryside of Rio Grande do Sul, RS. CASE REPORTS: Study of seven cases, with the diagnosis of complex regional pain syndrome type I, with a predominance of female, married, relatively low educational level. In assessing physical health condition, the majority of participants considered their physical health moderate, and bad mental/emotional health. Most participants used assistive technology resources. CONCLUSION: It was observed that the syndrome interfered in the participants’ work activities. The data of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health showed that these subjects face several limitations in their daily activities. Therefore, this disease has negative impacts on life/health condition of these workers, who are temporarily or permanently forced to leave their work activities.