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

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 li...

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Published in:Contemporary nurse : a journal for the Australian nursing profession 2021-07, Vol.57 (3-4), p.280-289
Main Authors: Morales-Fernández, Ángeles, Jiménez Martín, José Manuel, Vergara-Romero, Manuel, Morales-Asencio, José Miguel, Mora-Bandera, Ana María, Gomez-Ortigosa, Maria Isabel, Aranda-Gallardo, Marta, Canca-Sánchez, José Carlos
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analgesics, Opioid
Chronic Pain
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
gender
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
pain management
pain measurement
Pain Perception
Quality of Life
Sex Factors
Surveys and Questionnaires
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Summary: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. 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. A cross-sectional study was carried out in patients with chronic non-cancer pain. Sociodemographic variables, pain intensity at rest and in motion, SF-36 health questionnaire, anxiety, and depression were evaluated. 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. 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. 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.
ISSN:1037-6178
1839-3535
DOI:10.1080/10376178.2021.1999836