impact-of-pain-on-quality-of-life

Impact of Noncancer Pain On Quality of Life

The negative effects of pain on our everyday lives can be tremendous. It can cause us to miss work, major life events, social gatherings and more. It can also affect our daily routines and quality of life. Pain has even been known to lead to depression and personality changes. This is why so many people seek help for pain management whether it be medications, injections, chiropractic, acupuncture or other forms of treatment. This study, posted in Pain Practice, studied the impact of pain on quality of life.

The study is entitled Impact of Noncancer Pain on Health-Related Quality of Life. The study used two types of surveys to question patients in out-patient settings, asking them questions that pertained to the amount of pain they were experiencing and the effects that pain was having on their quality of life and daily activities. The study found that among the patients questioned, various causes of pain had a significant effect on both physical and mental quality of life.

These findings are directly applicable to what we see in clinic everyday. Pain leads to increased days away from work, decreased physical abilities, and significantly affects our daily activities. We have an integrated approach to treating pain here at our office. Massage therapy, physical therapy, and chiropractic care can all be used in combination to decrease pain and get patients back to their daily activities.

Impact of Noncancer Pain on Health-Related Quality of Life.

RESULTS:

Patterns indicating pain oscillation over the 28-day window were common (Range: 44.3% back/neck pain cohort to 61.2% postoperative cohort). After adjustment for sociodemographics, concomitant medications and gastrointestinal symptoms, worst pain in 24 hours was associated with a 13.9 point PCS reduction (adjusted PCS for pain = 10: 31.1; adjusted PCS for pain = 0: 45.0) and a 7.2 point MCS reduction (adjusted MCS for pain = 10: 44.1; adjusted MCS for pain = 0: 51.3). Similar clinically relevant differences were observed among patients with arthritis, back/neck pain, injury/trauma, postoperative pain, neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia, although statistical significance was not observed in the latter 2 groups.

CONCLUSION:

Among outpatients with various underlying causes of pain, the negative impact of pain on physical and mental health-related quality of life is significant. PubMed