The epidemiology and economic consequences of pain

Nicholas Henschke; Steven J Kamper; Chris G Maher

doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2014.09.010

The epidemiology and economic consequences of pain

Mayo Clin Proc. 2015 Jan;90(1):139-47. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2014.09.010.

Authors

Nicholas Henschke¹, Steven J Kamper², Chris G Maher³

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Public Health, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany; George Institute for Global Health, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: henschke@uni-heidelberg.de.
² George Institute for Global Health, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; EMGO+ Institute, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
³ George Institute for Global Health, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.

PMID: 25572198
DOI: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2014.09.010

Abstract

Pain is considered a major clinical, social, and economic problem in communities around the world. In this review, we describe the incidence, prevalence, and economic burden of pain conditions in children, adolescents, and adults based on an electronic search of the MEDLINE and EMBASE databases for articles published from January 1, 2000, through August 1, 2014, using the keywords pain, epidemiology, burden, prevalence, and incidence. The impact of pain on individuals and potential risk factors are also discussed. Differences in the methodology and conduct of epidemiological studies make it difficult to provide precise estimates of prevalence and incidence; however, the burden of pain is unquestionably large. Improved concepts and methods are needed in order to study pain from a population perspective and further the development of pain prevention and management strategies.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Child, Preschool
Cost of Illness*
Epidemiologic Research Design
Humans
Incidence
Pain Management / methods*
Pain* / classification
Pain* / economics
Pain* / epidemiology
Pain* / prevention & control
Pain* / psychology
Prevalence
Risk Factors