Chronic pain. Epidemiological studies in a general population
Author
Summary, in English
The aim was to study the epidemiology of chronic pain (> 3 months duration) and factors associated to pain prevalence, prognosis, health care and medication in a general population. A cross-sectional mailed survey to a random population sample (n = 1806) was followed by a clinical examination and a prospective study of three selected groups. Pain related diagnoses from primary health care was monitored and compared with pain prevalence. The most important findings were:
- a high total prevalence of chronic pain, 55.2%, without gender difference but varying by age and socioeconomic level. About one fourth (12.8%) reported high pain intensity and functional impairments. Women experienced pain at more locations and with higher intensity.
- in a multivariate analysis increasing age, female gender, low education, high work strain, depression and insomnia were associated with chronic pain.
- widespread pain showed a worse 2- year prognosis compared with neck shoulder pain.
- musculoskeletal location of pain dominated, myalgia and myofascial pain being the most common symptom descriptions.
- co-morbidity with chronic pain was common. More hypertensives and an increased level of serum uric acid associated to widepread pain indicated possible metabolic connections to pain.
- smoking (current and previous) was associated with low-back and widespread pain.
- chronic pain had a substantial influence of primary health care-seeking and medication; high pain intensity being the most important predictor of care and medication.
- pain related diagnoses in primary health care increased between 1987 and 1996.
Chronic pain, mainly with musculoskeletal location, is a community health problem. A multi-factorial approach in prevention and treatment on the basis of present knowledge is necessary.
- a high total prevalence of chronic pain, 55.2%, without gender difference but varying by age and socioeconomic level. About one fourth (12.8%) reported high pain intensity and functional impairments. Women experienced pain at more locations and with higher intensity.
- in a multivariate analysis increasing age, female gender, low education, high work strain, depression and insomnia were associated with chronic pain.
- widespread pain showed a worse 2- year prognosis compared with neck shoulder pain.
- musculoskeletal location of pain dominated, myalgia and myofascial pain being the most common symptom descriptions.
- co-morbidity with chronic pain was common. More hypertensives and an increased level of serum uric acid associated to widepread pain indicated possible metabolic connections to pain.
- smoking (current and previous) was associated with low-back and widespread pain.
- chronic pain had a substantial influence of primary health care-seeking and medication; high pain intensity being the most important predictor of care and medication.
- pain related diagnoses in primary health care increased between 1987 and 1996.
Chronic pain, mainly with musculoskeletal location, is a community health problem. A multi-factorial approach in prevention and treatment on the basis of present knowledge is necessary.
Department/s
Publishing year
1998
Language
English
Document type
Dissertation
Publisher
Ingemar Andersson, Bromölla Health Centre, SE-295 35 Bromölla, Sweden,
Topic
- Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology
Keywords
- samhällsmedicin
- Socialmedicin
- Social medicine
- epidemiology
- chronic pain
- diagnoses
- health care
- medication
- smoking
- uric acid
- widespread pain
Status
Published
Supervisor
- [unknown] [unknown]
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISBN: 91-628-2935-1
- ISRN: LUMEDW/MECH-1025-SE
Defence date
29 April 1998
Defence time
09:00
Defence place
Segerfalksalen, Wallenberg Neuro Centre, Lund University
Opponent
- Calle Bengtsson (Professor)