‘Perfect storm’ driving higher rates of chronic pain in deprived areas – study
People living in deprived areas are at higher risk of experiencing chronic pain due to a “perfect storm” of stressors, research has shown.
A study from Queen’s University Belfast also found that those in socio-economically disadvantaged areas are three times more likely to face pain-related issues, such as depression, social functioning and physical disability.
The research, carried out in collaboration with the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust’s Centre for Pain Rehabilitation, analysed the data of 491 patients living with chronic pain in Northern Ireland.
It found 42% of those who took part in the study were living in the most deprived areas and reported much higher levels of distress, disability and pain-related burden.
Depression and anxiety also increased proportionally with deprivation levels.
The most deprived group experienced up to three times more pain-related issues with mental health, social functioning, and physical disability, compared to the least deprived.
Professor Kevin Vowles, from the School of Psychology at Queen’s who led the study, said chronic pain “costs the UK £10 billion annually in healthcare and lost productivity”.
He added: “This study reveals that deprivation doesn’t just increase the risk of chronic pain. Those living in the most deprived areas are facing double jeopardy as it also increases the risk of pain that is more disabling, distressing, and disruptive.
“The findings are stark. Those in the most deprived areas face a more pain-related issues and burdens, with the severity increasing in step with deprivation.
“This inequality deserves to be addressed urgently.
“Our research shows that deprivation is not only a risk factor for chronic pain but also amplifies its impact across every aspect of life.
“The message is clear, we need a biopsychosocial approach to chronic pain care that tackles the root causes of this disparity.”
Dr Jason Brooks, lead clinician and consultant anaesthesiologist at the Belfast Centre for Pain Rehabilitation, said the findings “mirror what we see daily in our clinics”.
He added: “Patients from deprived communities often struggle with a perfect storm of physical pain, psychological distress, and social disadvantage, all of which are exacerbated by limited access to support.
“The impact of pain ripples through every aspect of their lives, from family and work to education and mental health.
“This study confirms what we’ve long suspected, chronic pain cannot be treated in isolation. We need integrated rehabilitation that addresses the physical, psychological, and social dimensions of pain, particularly for those in the most deprived areas.
“Our goal isn’t just to reduce pain, it’s to help people reclaim their lives.”
The researchers have urged healthcare systems to prioritise biopsychosocial interventions, such as pain education and rehabilitation, to better support those living with chronic pain.
They also called for urgent policy action to address the social determinants of health, including poverty, education, and access to services.