The aim of investigation: To determine the profile of patients with neuropathic pain in Maputo Mozambique and compare these with similar patients in other countries.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study at the Pain Unit from 09/2016 - 05/2017. The study was approved by Institucional Committee of  Bioethics for Medical School Health in Mozambique, and subjects were identified only by number. The Study was carried out in two phases: first, we randomly selected 120 patients from the appointment book. Inclusion criteria were patient only from the Pain Unit. Exclusion criteria do not give informed consent. A questionnaire regarding gender, age, level of schooling, profession, provenance, social habits, type and intensity of pain, associated pathology, diagnosis, and treatment was applied. The Douleur Neuropathique 4 questionnaires (DN4) criteria were used to define neuropathic pain. Oncologic pain´s patients with severe pain were treated prior to interviews as a protocol from the Unit. The second phase was an exclusive analysis of patients with characteristics of neuropathic pain. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS.

Results: From a total of 120 patients interviewed, 66% of them were female, mean age 54 years, 32% unemployed and 46% had a low educational level. The most frequent diagnosis was: Lumbar radiculopathy 50 %, Cancer neuropathic pain  25%, Cervical radiculopathy 8%. The most common associated pathologies were hypertension (25%), HIV (9%). The most used drugs were amitriptyline, paracetamol, gabapentin and tramadol.

Conclusions. Patients with neuropathic pain in the Pain Unit at HCM presented with similar demographics to other countries, particularly gender, schooling, employment levels and some diagnosis. However, further studies and education on the Mozambique population are needed to know and properly treat the burden of pain.