Summary of key findings

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Chronic pain at ages 12 to 44

Publication: Health Reports 2010:21(4) www.statcan.gc.ca/healthreports

Authors: Pamela L. Ramage-Morin and Heather Gilmour

Data: 2007/2008 Canadian Community Health Survey

Although chronic pain is usually associated with aging, it is relatively common at younger ages. In 2007/2008, about 1 in 10 Canadians aged 12 to 44, an estimated 1.5 million people, experienced chronic pain. That is, they responded "no" when asked if they were usually free of pain or discomfort.

About 9% of males and 12% of females in this age group experienced chronic pain.

The prevalence increased with age. Among young people aged 12 to 17, 2% of males and 6% of females reported chronic pain. In the age group 35 to 44, the corresponding percentages were 14% and 17%.

For the population aged 12 to 44 chronic pain was frequently associated with back problems and, for females in particular, with migraine headaches.

About a third of the 2 million people in this age group who had back problems reported chronic pain.

Nearly one-quarter of the 1.2 million women who reported having migraine headaches also reported chronic pain.

Arthritis was relatively uncommon in the age group (fewer than 5%). However, it was highly associated with pain, as about half the people with arthritis reported chronic pain.

Chronic pain was associated with activity limitations at home, school and work and with needing help with everyday tasks. An estimated 63% of people aged 12 to 44 with chronic pain reported experiencing activity limitations "sometimes" or "often," compared with 15% of those who did not have chronic pain.

Chronic pain not only limited, but prevented, at least a few activities for the majority of sufferers—64% of males and 74% of females.

Individuals with chronic pain were more likely to use the services of health care professionals such as doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and psychologists, than people who were usually pain-free. They were less likely to respond positively on measures of well-being including self-perceived health, satisfaction with life, and sense of community belonging. Finally, individuals with chronic pain were also more likely to report mood and anxiety disorders.

Full article

For more information about this article, contact Heather Gilmour (1-613-951-2114; Heather.Gilmour@statcan.gc.ca), Health Analysis Division, Statistics Canada.