(CDC) Chronic Pain Among Adults — United States, 2019–2021, 2023, Rikard et al

https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7215a1.htm

Chronic Pain Among Adults — United States, 2019–2021
Weekly / April 14, 2023 / 72(15);379–385

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S. Michaela Rikard, PhD1; Andrea E. Strahan, PhD1; Kristine M. Schmit, MD1; Gery P. Guy Jr., PhD1 (VIEW AUTHOR AFFILIATIONS)

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Summary
What is already known about this topic?

An estimated 50 million adults in the United States experienced chronic pain (i.e., pain lasting ≥3 months) in 2016, resulting in substantial health care costs and lost productivity.

What is added by this report?

During 2021, an estimated 20.9% of U.S. adults (51.6 million persons) experienced chronic pain, and 6.9% (17.1 million persons) experienced high-impact chronic pain (i.e., chronic pain that results in substantial restriction to daily activities) with a higher prevalence among non-Hispanic American Indian or Alaska Native adults, adults identifying as bisexual, and adults who were divorced or separated.

What are the implications for public health practice?

Clinicians, practices, health systems, and payers should vigilantly attend to health inequities and ensure access to appropriate, affordable, diversified, coordinated, and effective pain management care for all persons.

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Among all chronic medical conditions reported, the age-adjusted prevalence of chronic pain and high-impact chronic pain was highest among adults with a history of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (70.0% and 43.8%, respectively) and dementia (54.9% and 34.2%, respectively).