The surprising incidence of pain in young adults
Take Home Messages:
Pain is commonly encountered in young adults. Increased pain levels are linked with increasing feelings of anxiety and depression, and poorer self-rated health.
Assisting young adults with chronic pain in the workplace is important. They are often embarking on full-time employment and may need extra support and assistance in the workplace.
Why the study matters:
Chronic longstanding pain is associated with a range of negative health consequences. Individuals with severely disabling chronic pain are more likely to have:
- Long-term illness;
- Additional health problems;
- Poor mental well-being and social functioning; and
- Higher levels of depression and work loss.
Severe disabling chronic pain is disruptive to young adults embarking on full-time employment. The study investigates how many young adults are affected by chronic pain and its effect on the individual.
What the study involved:
The researchers mailed out questionnaires to 18-25 year-olds registered at 3 general practice clinics. A total of 835 patients were involved. They were asked questions specific to pain experienced in the last 6 months.
These questions were regarding:
- Recent pain;
- Pain location;
- Regularity of pain;
- Chronic pain severity;
- Self-rated health;
- Anxiety/depression; and
- Family and childhood experiences with pain.
Summary of study findings:
Pain was found to be common in the 18-25 year old age group. It affected 67% of people surveyed.
Researchers found 14% of respondents suffered chronic pain, with 3% reporting severely disabling chronic pain.
Increasing chronic pain severity scores were associated with:
- Increasing anxiety and depression; and
- Poorer self-rated health.
The most common pain sites were lower back, neck and headaches.
Original research:
Severely disabling chronic pain in young adults- prevalence from a population-based postal survey in North Staffordshire
Mallen C, Peat G, Thomas E, Croft P.
BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2005 Jul 21;6:42