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Prevalence of Current and Chronic Pain and Their Influences Upon Work and Healthcare-Seeking: A Population Study
BJÖRN GERDLE, JONAS BJÖRK, CHRIS HENRIKSSON, and ANN BENGTSSON
ABSTRACT.
Methods. A cross-sectional survey using a postal questionnaire was sent to a representative sample (n = 9952) of the target population (284,073 people, age 18–74 yrs) in a county (Östergötland) in southern Sweden. A questionnaire was mailed and followed by 2 postal reminders if necessary. Results. The participation rate was 76.7% (n = 7637); nonparticipants were on average younger, male, and earned less money. The overall point prevalence of pain was 48.9%. The corresponding one-month period prevalence was 63.0%, and pain on several occasions during the previous 3 months was reported by 61.3% of participants. The prevalence of chronic pain (pain > 3 months) was 53.7%. Female sex, age, and sick leave/early retirement were generally of significant importance in the regressions of pain. No sex factor was found in the regressions of pain frequency and pain intensity. Chronic pain — especially frequent and intensive pain — showed clear associations with healthcare-seeking and occupational activity. Conclusion. High prevalence of current pain (48.9%) and chronic pain (53.7%) were found in this community-based study. Being female, older, and on sick leave or early retirement were generally of significant importance in the regressions of pain. Chronic pain showed clear associations with healthcare-seeking and occupational activity, indicating considerable socioeconomic costs. (J Rheumatol 2004;31:1399-406) Key Indexing Terms:
EPIDEMIOLOGY
From the Departments of Rehabilitation Medicine, Occupational Therapy and Rheumatology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University; Pain and Rehabilitation Centre, University Hospital, Linköping; and Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Division of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden. Supported by The Swedish Rheumatism Association. B. Gerdle, MD, PhD, Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Linköping University, Pain and Rehabilitation Centre, University Hospital, Linköping; J. Björk, PhD, Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University; C. Henriksson, PhD, Department of Occupational Therapy; A. Bengtsson, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, Linköping University. Address reprint requests to Prof. B. Gerdle, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden. E-mail: Bjorn.Gerdle@inr.liu.se Submitted January 30, 2003; revision accepted December 31, 2003. |