Prevalence of chronic pain in LTCs and multimorbidity: a cross-sectional study using UK Biobank

McQueenie, R., Jani, B. D. , Siebert, S. , McCowan, C. , Macdonald, S. , Mair, F. S. and Nicholl, B. I. (2021) Prevalence of chronic pain in LTCs and multimorbidity: a cross-sectional study using UK Biobank. Journal of Multimorbidity and Comorbidity, 11, p. 26335565211005870. (doi: 10.1177/26335565211005870)

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Abstract

Objectives: Chronic pain is often experienced alongside other long-term conditions (LTCs), yet our understanding of this, particularly in relation to multimorbidity (≥2 LTCs) is poor. We aimed to examine associations between the presence/extent of chronic pain with type/number of LTCs experienced. Methods: We examined the relationship between number/type of LTCs (N = 45) in UK Biobank participants (n = 500,295) who self-reported chronic pain lasting ≥3 months in seven body sites or widespread. Relative risk ratios (RRR) for presence/extent of chronic pain sites were compared using logistic regression adjusted for sociodemographic (sex/age/socioeconomic status) and lifestyle factors (smoking/alcohol intake/BMI/physical activity). Results: 218,648 participants self-reported chronic pain. Of these, 69.1% reported ≥1 LTC and 36.2% reported ≥2 LTCs. In 31/45 LTCs examined, >50% of participants experienced chronic pain. Chronic pain was common with migraine/headache and irritable bowel syndrome where pain is a primary symptom, but also with mental health conditions and diseases of the digestive system. Participants with >4 LTCs were over three times as likely to have chronic pain (RRR 3.56, 95% confidence intervals (CIs) 3.44–3.68) and 20 times as likely to have widespread chronic pain (RRR 20.13, 95% CI 18.26–22.19) as those with no LTCs. Conclusions: Chronic pain is extremely common across a wide range of LTCs. People with multimorbidity were at higher risk of having a greater extent of chronic pain. These results show that chronic pain is a key factor for consideration in the management of patients with LTCs or multimorbidity.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Jani, Dr Bhautesh and Mccowan, Professor Colin and McQueenie, Dr Ross and Siebert, Professor Stefan and Nicholl, Dr Barbara and Mair, Professor Frances and Macdonald, Professor Sara
Authors: McQueenie, R., Jani, B. D., Siebert, S., McCowan, C., Macdonald, S., Mair, F. S., and Nicholl, B. I.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > General Practice and Primary Care
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
Research Centre:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity > Centre for Immunobiology
Journal Name:Journal of Multimorbidity and Comorbidity
Publisher:SAGE Publications
ISSN:2633-5565
ISSN (Online):2633-5565
Published Online:21 December 2021
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2021 The Authors
First Published:First published in Journal of Multimorbidity and Comorbidity 11: 26335565211005870
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License
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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
301668Multimorbidity in Arthritis and persistent musculoskeletal Pain (MAP) StudyBarbara NichollVersus Arthritis (ARTRESUK)Ref: 21970HW - General Practice and Primary Care