One in Three Adults in Stockholm County Affected by Chronic Pain
A new survey shows that chronic pain affects 37% of adults in Stockholm County.
Key Points
- • 37% of adults in Stockholm County suffer from chronic pain.
- • 11% of individuals have pain that limits daily activities.
- • Disability due to pain is more common among women and older adults.
- • Lower back and arm pain are the most commonly reported issues.
A recent survey conducted by the Centre for Epidemiology and Community Medicine (CES) has revealed that 37% of adults aged 16 to 75 in Stockholm County suffer from chronic pain. The data indicates that 11% of these individuals experience pain severe enough to limit their daily activities, which poses significant implications for public health in the region. The findings were gathered through a random sampling of participants who used the Health Meter app, designed to collect health-related data among residents.
The report highlights the disproportionate impact of chronic pain among vulnerable groups, noting that disability due to pain is more common in women, older adults, and socioeconomically disadvantaged individuals. Lower back and arm pain were cited as the most prevalent issues, though variations in pain location were observed among different age demographics, with younger individuals more likely to report headaches and older adults experiencing joint pain.
Moreover, individuals living with chronic pain reported experiencing higher levels of fatigue, sleep disturbances, and a decreased quality of life. Mihretab Gebreslassie, a doctoral student at CES and co-author of the study, mentioned that the prevalence rate recorded exceeds that found in other European studies, which could be attributed to different methodologies or actual geographic disparities. This survey underscores the urgent need for ongoing research to monitor pain prevalence and identify associated risk factors.