Devastating Impact of Chronic Pain on Patients’ Lives Revealed
The Voices of Chronic Pain, a new patient survey released by the American Pain Foundation, reveals the devastating impact of chronic pain on the lives of patients, and the strong desire of patients for more options to help manage their pain. This survey is the first of its kind to evaluate patient attitudes and the impact that chronic pain has on patients who have sought care from their physician and are currently using an opioid to treat their pain.
Who suffers from chronic pain?
Control Over Chronic Pain
• More than half of patients (51%) felt they had little or no control over their pain
• Six out of ten patients (60%) said they experience breakthrough pain one or more times daily, severely impacting their quality of life and overall well-being.
Impact on Quality of Life
• Almost two thirds (59%) reported an impact on their overall enjoyment of life
• More than three quarters of patients (77%) reported feeling depressed
• 70% said they have trouble concentrating
• 74% said their energy level is impacted by their pain
• 86% reported an inability to sleep well
Impact on Day-to-Day Life
• More than half (52%) said their chronic pain has put a strain on relationships with family and friends
• Nearly 70% said their pain has a great deal of impact on their work
• 50% have lost a job due to their chronic pain
• More than a quarter (27%) said chronic pain impacts their ability to drive a car
Desire For New Options
• More than three quarters of patients (77%) strongly agreed that new options are needed to treat their pain
• Only 14% reported that they were satisfied with their current medications
• Less than half (48%) felt they were currently getting enough information on the most effective ways to manage chronic pain
For more information about chronic pain, log onto www.painfoundation.org.
About the Survey
Voices of Chronic Pain was conducted on the Internet using an online panel of Americans who were screened for having chronic pain and using opioids for the treatment and control of that pain. A total of 303 chronic pain sufferers who take opioids were included in the final sample. Voices of Chronic Pain was administered between May 9 and May 13, 2006. The survey was based on survey panels from Common Knowledge. International Communications Research (ICR) of Media, PA administered the data collection. ICR also conducted the data processing and preparation of statistical tables. The Voices of Chronic Pain survey was funded by Endo Pharmaceuticals
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