Persistent pain should be a public health priority

Estimates of how many people live in chronic pain vary widely, often depending on the definition of ‘chronic’.
But persistent pain is defined as constant or frequent pain lasting at least three months, figures suggest that a staggering 39.4 million adults in the US reported persistent pain in 2010; 67.2% say their pain is “constantly present” and 50.5% say their pain is sometimes “unbearable and excruciating”.
Rates of persistent pain are higher in women, adults aged 60–69, adults who rate their health as fair or poor, adults who are overweight or obese and those who were hospitalised at least once in the previous year.
Most adults who have conditions such as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or back or joint pain do not describe their pain as “persistent.”
A more consistent pain measure is needed to assess unmet need for pain management in the general population, and more help is needed to increase the quality of life for those people affected.

To read the original research click here.

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Image credit: Petras Gagilas