OBJECTIVES: Despite being a common problem, there is no published epidemiological data on pain in Turkey. This large scale survey had the main objective of demonstrating the incidence of acute pain, but also sought to explore how individuals perceive their pain, the impact it had on their lives, their perception of the attitudes of others towards their pain, treatments received and the adequacy of treatment. METHODS: Screening interviews identified respondents aged =18 years with acute pain, for in-depth interviews. It addressed the following aims: a) estimating the incidence of acute pain in Turkey; b) quantifying causes of acute pain; c) exploring the demographics of acute pain; d) exploring the impact of acute pain on individual's quality of life and daily activities e) understanding current treatment practices. RESULTS: Six percent of the respondents had acute pain. Sixty-seven percent of the 313 respondents willing to participate, had pain due to another disease, 33% of them did not have any disease related to their pain. Their pain intensity during last episode of pain was 5 on a 10-point Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). 39% of the respondents had moderate pain (NRS = 5–7), 43% had severe pain (NRS = 7), 67% had headaches, 22% had back pain. 96% of the acute pain sufferers were using drugs for last three months. 96% of them were taking Aspirin® (acetyl salicilic acid), 91% Vermidon® (paracetamol), 90% Novalgin® (Dipyrone), and 80% Apranax® (naproxen sodium). CONCLUSION: Six percent of Turkish adults had acute pain. Sixty-seven percent of the respondents who had acute pain had accompying disease causing the pain. Pain is a major health care problem in Turkey that needs to be evaluated and researched in depth.