More than half of people who suffer from chronic pain would not bother their doctor with their problems, a survey has found.

However, painful conditions such as arthritis and low back pain cost the economy 700 million working days a year.

An NOP poll found that almost a third of the public suffered regularly from back pain alone.

But more than half the 3,955 people questioned for the survey said they would not go to the doctor about pain.

This was reflected in a separate poll of 174 GPs, 87% of whom thought patients who were in pain were not coming to see them.

Stiff upper lip

Nearly 80% thought many patients in pain were too stoical and unwilling to seek help.

The NOP survey revealed that 30% of people suffered regularly from back pain, 8% from osteoarthritis pain, and 6% from rheumatoid arthritis pain.

About a fifth of women questioned said they regularly experienced period pain.

The results of the NOP survey were published to mark the launch of a new super-fast painkiller.

The prescription-only pill, sold under the brand name ARCOXIA, has been tested on conditions ranging from severe back pain to toothache.

It is said to act faster than other painkillers and delivers pain relief for as long as 24 hours.