Gender differences in perceived pain and health-related quality of life in people with chronic non-malignant pain: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background

Chronic pain has a disproportionate impact on members of vulnerable population groups, and women are at substantially greater risk than men of suffering multiple chronic pain disorders. Moreover, one of the aspects most affected by the presence of chronic pain is that of health-related quality of life (HRQoL), worsening over time, as the disease persists.

Objectives

To describe the profile of patients who suffer non-malignant chronic pain, from a gender perspective, and to identify factors related to their HRQoL and mental health.

Design

A cross-sectional study was carried out in patients with chronic non-cancer pain.

Methods

Sociodemographic variables, pain intensity at rest and in motion, SF-36 health questionnaire, anxiety, and depression were evaluated.

Results

The study population consisted of 531 subjects, of whom 64.2% were women. The mean age was 52.9 (SD: 10.4) years. The pain intensity recorded on the visual analogue scale was 6 (SD: 2.7) at rest and 8 (SD: 2) in motion. Physical component score and mental component score of quality of life were worse in women vs men: 33.73 (6.77) vs 32.33 (6.20), for the physical component; 36.89 (12.77) vs 32.91 (11.51), for mental component. Anxiety, depression and pain intensity, showed poorer results in women.

Conclusion

Gender is a factor that should be considered in assessing and managing chronic pain, due to its influence on the perception of pain, and HRQoL.

Impact statement

Gender is an important modifier of the perception of pain, and HRQoL. To achieve a patient-centred approach, nurses should incorporate gender as a differential factor to adapt and individualize pain management and patient education.

Keywords:

• Chronic pain
• pain measurement
• quality of life
• pain management
• gender

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Consejería de Salud y Bienestar Social, Junta de Andalucía (Spain) (PI 158/13).