NEW SURVEY REVEALS EMERGING "LIFESTYLE OF PAIN" IN AMERICA
First survey of its kind to benchmark people with pain's attitudes toward the condition.

ROCKLIN, Ca., May 6, 2004 - Seventy-two percent of people with chronic pain have lived with it for more than three years, including a third (34 percent) who have lived with pain for more than a decade, according to results from the Americans Living with Pain Survey (ALPS), designed to uncover insights regarding attitudes and perceptions about chronic pain. Yet nearly half (44 percent) of people with pain who have talked to their doctor about it delay doing so, often for several months or longer, despite the impact it has on their lives. A little more than half (53 percent) of those who do eventually visit their doctor do so because their pain is becoming increasingly severe.

"This survey demonstrates that chronic pain has reached epidemic proportions." said Edward Covington, M.D., Director of the Chronic Pain Rehabilitation Programs at the Cleveland Clinic. "The 'can do, can cope' spirit of Americans can lead to untreated chronic pain, which has a severe impact on people's work, personal relationships, hobbies, and even sex, and can greatly diminish their quality of life. In addition to physical disability, it may also lead to irritability, anxiety, or depression."

Many Americans who delay seeing a doctor about their pain believe that their pain will eventually go away, or that pain alone is not a serious health condition. Others delay seeking treatment because they live with the pain even though it is increasingly taking a toll on their quality of life and emotional well-being. ALPS reveals that two out of three people living with chronic pain say that it leads to stress and irritable behavior. A large number of respondents also report that pain has a negative impact on their personal relationships (45 percent), work productivity (51 percent of those employed) and daily routine (61 percent).

"One of the most important aspects of managing one's pain is taking an active role in care and becoming part of the treatment team." says Penney Cowan, executive director, American Chronic Pain Association. "There are many treatment options available to help people reduce the effects of pain in their lives. Proactive behavior such as recognizing emotions and practicing in relaxation techniques to reduce stress, pacing activities and working within personal limits, and exercising on a regular basis may contribute to better pain control."

Who's Hurting?

According to the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), nearly a third of all Americans will experience chronic pain at some point in their lives. And approximately 50 million Americans live with chronic pain today: it is the number one cause of adult disability in the United States. ALPS reveals that people are experiencing pain at a younger age than what may be commonly perceived or assumed; proportionally just as many younger people surveyed experience back pain as do middle aged and older adults.

• Younger People (18-24): 82 percent of younger people also experience grumpiness or irritable behavior as a result of their chronic pain.
• Women: Women are more likely to be affected emotionally by their pain than men, especially in terms of stress (70 percent) and loss of motivation (55 percent).
• Men: Nearly three in ten men (28 percent) experience less desire for sex due to chronic pain.

Pain in the Workplace

Pain costs the United States an estimated $100 billion in lost productivity every year, according to a JCAHO report. The survey demonstrates that chronic pain is a major source of absenteeism'

• ALPS shows that 41 percent of those employed and living with chronic pain report their pain adversely affects their ability to put in a full day's work; three in ten (27 percent) say it impacts their ability to get work in the first place.
• One in six employed people living with chronic pain say it has adversely affected their career advancement opportunities.

How is Pain Being Treated?

Once people address their condition, ALPS reveals that treatment of chronic pain varies, with nearly half of people taking prescription medication and about half not taking prescription medication.

• For those taking only prescription medication, 81 percent report being very satisfied with how their doctor is helping them manage their pain, as opposed to 64 percent of those taking only over the counter medication.
• 86 percent of those taking only prescription medication also use alternative treatments, including physical therapy (58 percent) and meditation (23 percent).

Many Fear Losing Access to Pain Medicine

With increasing attention being paid to cost and legislative issues, people with pain express concerns about access.

• Three in ten have been unable to get a prescription filled because of cost or lack of insurance.
• Almost three in ten believe it will become more difficult to get the medication they need in the future.

Satisfaction and Concerns about Medication Vary

Attitudes toward medication show as much variation as the types of people experiencing pain. Significant numbers of people with pain report concerns about taking pain medications including the fear of side effects (56 percent) and worries that they will need medication for the rest of their life (49 percent) while showing surprisingly little awareness (26 percent) of prescription topical pain patches as an alternative.

• Concern about potential side effects among those taking only prescription medication is a generally higher among 35 to 50 year-olds, with 58 percent worried it might be addictive.
• Compared to those taking prescription pain medicines, users with both prescription and over the counter medications were more likely to experience side effects (drowsiness: 52 percent, nausea: 41 percent)

Information provided by the American Chronic Pain Association
www.theacpa.org

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