European journal of pain : EJP
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Pain is associated with falls, disability and a poor quality of life among older adults. It is highly prevalent in many societies, and studies have shown that pain could be preventable or managed more effectively at the population level. However, few studies have investigated who is at higher risk of pain in the general population, which is important for development of effective interventions. The purpose of this study was to investigate, by using nationally representative samples in Sweden, whether neighbourhood socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with pain among older adults after considering other important risk factors. ⋯ Those who reside in neighbourhoods with low SES may have higher risks of pain due to a lack of health-promoting resources as well as psychological stress. Further studies identifying the specific mechanisms behind the association between neighbourhood SES and pain would be useful in order to develop effective interventions.
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Chronic pain is a condition with severe impact on many aspects of life, including work, functional ability and quality of life, thereby reducing physical, mental and social well-being. Despite the high prevalence and burden of chronic pain, it has received disproportionally little attention in research and public policy and the societal costs of chronic pain remain largely unknown. This study aimed to describe the long-term healthcare and work absence costs of individuals with and without self-identified chronic pain. ⋯ This was the first study to estimate the economic burden associated with chronic pain in the general population using linked individual-level administrative data and self-reported survey answers. We provide calculations showing that annual costs of chronic pain may be as high as €12 billion or 4% of GDP. Findings from this study highlight the need for a greater understanding of the substantial healthcare use and productivity losses among individuals with chronic pain.