Socio-economic factors associated with the 1‑year prevalence of severe pain and pain-related sickness absence in the Austrian population

Abstract

SummaryBackgroundThe aim of this study was to (1) investigate the relation of socio-economic status (SES), measured as education, occupation, and income, with the 12-month prevalence of severe pain and with pain-related sickness absence, and (2) analyse to what extent sociodemographic and medical factors influence these associations.MethodsThe study population comprised 8084 subjects aged between 15 and 65 years from the Austrian Health Interview Survey in 2006/07. Associations of SES with the 1‑year prevalence of severe pain and sickness absence due to pain in those with severe pain was assessed with logistic regression analysis and adjusted for socio-demographic and chronic medical conditions.ResultsThe 1‑year prevalence of severe pain was 33.7%. Among those with severe pain, 32.9% were on sickness absence due to pain. SES was significantly associated with the prevalence of severe pain and even more strongly with sickness absence due to pain. Stepwise adjustment for socio-demographics and medical factors had only marginal effects on these associations. Multivariate odds ratios (ORs) for severe pain were 1.14; 1.18 and 1.32 for low income, blue-collar workers, and low education, respectively. Related ORs for sickness absence due to pain were 1.52; 1.14 and 2.05.ConclusionsThere was an association between SES, particularly measured as educational level, and the prevalence of severe pain, which was even stronger with sickness absence due to pain.

Pain of methadone-maintained heroin addicts: lonelier individuals feel more intense pain

“…A questionnaire was specifically designed for this study. Because previous population-based studies have reported a significant associations between socio-demographic factors, particularly low socio-economic status (as measured by education and income), and pain [ 31 – 33 ], socio-demographic variables in the questionnaire included gender, age, education years, marital status, employment status, and self-rated financial status (good, fair, poor). Because substance use characteristics (i.e., long-term heroin use and injection drug use) and psychological factors have been found to be significantly associated with pain [ 34 – 36 ], clinical data collected in the study were usual route of past heroin administration (smoking, injecting), duration of past heroin use, duration of MMT, methadone dosage, depression, and anxiety.…”

Sleep quality in subjects suffering from chronic pain

“…In Austria 25% of the adult population is affected by chronic pain [ 2 ]. These prevalence rates vary by the types of conditions of chronic pain and rates are higher for women and older adults or subjects with lower educational level [ 3 – 5 ]. Sociodemographic factors, such as sex interact with the mechanisms of coping with chronic pain [ 2 , 6 , 7 ] and therefore play an important role in the consequences of chronic pain.…”

Pain and chronic pain epidemiology

“…In this edition, one article shows that 32.9% of the employed Austrian population aged 15-65 years who are affected by severe pain, were on sick leave due to pain. Education, income, and type of employment were significantly associated with absenteeism due to pain, at given pain intensity, comorbidities and sociodemographic factors [9]; however, many people stay at the workplace despite chronic pain, with their working ability being affected. Furthermore, estimates show that this presenteeism due to chronic pain, leads to four times more hours of work disability than absenteeism due to chronic pain [10].…”