GENERAL
FACTS AND FIGURES
Estimates about the numbers affected in Canada are not yet
available. There have not been any large scale epidemiological
studies conducted in Canada or USA to date.
New figures from Holland indicate evidence based on the medical
records of 800,000 Dutch patients which found that CRPS occurs
26.2 in 100,000 patients or approximately 1 in 4,000. In England
the incidence of CRPS is 1 in 2000. Canada and USA do not have
figures yet.
Surprisingly in USA, "Fifty percent of cases go undiagnosed",
reports Robert Schwartzman, MD, leading American neurologist
and RSD/CRPS expert/researcher.
What about Canada? Latest figures from Nova
Scotia's Northside General Pain Clinic indicate that:
"1 in 60 has a lifetime
risk of getting RSD/CRPS."
That is, over the course of a lifetime, one person in 60 can
expect to contract this disease.
A women is three times more likely to develop
RSD/CRPS than a man. Women 40-60 years of age are mostly affected.
The upper extremities are two times as likely to
be affected as lower extremities. (See Eur J Trauma 2001:27:99-103
)
Children are also affected and the numbers are on the rise.
Children generally have a better prognosis than adults.
For a further explanation, please see the WHAT
IS RSD/CRPS? page.
MEASURING
PAIN:
Using the McGill Pain Index, many diseases are rated out of
50 on this index. The score for cancer pain is 28 and
for RSD/CRPS pain, a whopping 42.
AWARENESS NEEDED
Due to an enormous lack of education about recognition of symptoms,
diagnosis, treatment and management of RSD/CRPS, it is not well
recognized in the Canadian medical field. Many doctors have
never heard of RSD/CRPS. Without accurate information, RSD/CRPS
is quite often misdiagnosed, diagnosed too late, or no one believes
the patient's pain. Many are told it is "all in their head".
As a result, many patients do not receive the proper treatment
in a timely manner and they suffer needlessly.
WORKING
TOGETHER
WHEN
FACING CHRONIC PAIN
The book launch
was held in Montreal. It is an extensive Canadian
resource book edited by Odon Productions (Les Productions
Odon) on various pain conditions, treatments, and uplifting
stories from pain patients. Moreover, it
is ...
"food
for thought and information about a large number of tools and
treatments, as well as about the psychological and physiological
and social aspects of pain... "
"This
work is also intended for all health care professionals who
want to learn more about the issues and aspects specific to
chronic pain and benefit from the experiences of their colleagues."
Pain conditions
are written by doctors and health care professionals. Each testimonial
shows how the chronic pain patient is living a life despite
the pain.
There are several
chapters on CRPS including "Living with CRPS",
"PARC" and a testimonial by the Executive
Director of PARC, a CRPS patient.
For more information contact
us.
WHAT'S
NEW?
2013 Premiere
of Canadian Documentary:
"LIVING
A LIFE IN PAIN: THE STORY OF RSD/CRPS" by Sarah Panas WHAT'S
NEW?
MEMBERSHIPS
are now tax deductible. Click here.
KARL E STOBBE LECTURESHIP presents
a series of speakers on CHRONIC PAIN at Brock University. Please
see SPEAKER SERIES for
2013.
PARC
POCKET CARD:
Our new wallet card with "Signs
and Symptoms of RSD/CRPS" is here! The card says
it all in one easy, portable format. WHAT'S
NEW?
PATIENT OR PROFESSIONAL:
Whether you are a patient, family member, friend or a health
care professional, please visit our WHAT'S
NEW page for the latest research, treatments, drugs, or
current events.
WHY NOT CONTRIBUTE TO PARC'S
MISSION? Do you wish to help further PARC's
mission of informing everyone about the utmost importance of
early diagnosis and treatment? PARC's goals are greater awareness,
support for patients and funding CRPS research. Contributions
are tax deductible .DONATIONS
GETTING
HELP
Please take the time to read through our site. It was specifically
designed with the patient or professional in mind. After reading
about RSD/CRPS, if you suspect that someone may have this disease,
it is essential that they do not delay in finding an expert
for prompt medical treatment. Please contact
us.
TOGETHER
WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Do you wish to help us make a difference in the war on RSD/CRPS?
We appreciate every contribution whether it is monetary or not.
There are many ways you can promote awareness where you live.
Spread the word with PARC's help. Monetary contributions are
tax deductible. To donate and for some ideas, see the DONATIONS
page.
