LOW SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS AND DISABLING PAIN IN PATIENTS OF THE PAIN UNIT

Abstract

Objective:

To determine the association between the socioeconomic status of patients diagnosed with chronic pain entering the Pain Unit and their adaptation to chronic pain in terms of pain, disability and mood.

Method:

This is a cross-sectional study of 133 chronic pain patients attending the Pain Unit at the Carlos Haya Hospital in Málaga. By means of oral self-reports the following variables were measured: socioeconomic level, pain and discomfort, disability and mood. An ANOVA test was used to compare patients according to their Socioeconomic Status (SES).

Results:

The low SES group had more disabling pain for daily activities and took more medication. The low NSE group consisted mainly of women (85.7%).

Conclusion:

The results reveal that socioeconomic conditions may be a risk factor for more disabling chronic pain.