• Elizabeth G VanDenKerkhof, Linda VanTil, James M Thompson, Jill Sweet, Wilma M Hopman, Meg E Carley, and Kerry Sudom.
• Pain Res Manag. 2015 Mar 1; 20 (2): 89-95.

BackgroundLittle is known about the prevalence of chronic pain among Veterans outside the United States.ObjectiveTo describe the prevalence of chronic pain and associated sociodemographic, health behaviour, employment⁄income, disability, and physical and mental health factors in Canadian Veterans.MethodsThe 2010 Survey on Transition to Civilian Life included a nationally representative sample of 3154 Canadian Armed Forces Regular Force Veterans released from service between 1998 and 2007. Data from a telephone survey of Veterans were linked with Department of National Defence and Veterans Affairs Canada administrative databases. Pain was defined as constant⁄reoccurring pain (chronic pain) and as moderate/severe pain interference with activities.ResultsForty-one percent of the population experienced constant chronic pain and 23% experienced intermittent chronic pain. Twenty-five percent reported pain interference. Needing help with tasks of daily living, back problems, arthritis, gastrointestinal conditions and age ≥ 30 years were independently associated with chronic pain. Needing help with tasks of daily living, back problems, arthritis, mental health conditions, age ≥ 30 years, gastrointestinal conditions, low social support and noncommissioned member rank were associated with pain interference.ConclusionsThese findings provide evidence for agencies and those supporting the well-being of Veterans, and inform longitudinal studies to better understand the determinants and life course effects of chronic pain in military Veterans.

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