First, a word or two….

• In fact 87 different words were used to describe pain in the McGill Pain questionnaire, compiled in 1975. This questionnaire is often used as a means of measuring patients' subjective pain experience.
• "The greatest evil is physical pain". St Augustine (354-430) Bishop of Hippo in North Africa Soliloquies,1
• "Man endures pain as an undeserved punishment: woman accepts it as a natural heritage". Anon
• "An hour of pain is as long as a day of pleasure". Proverb

There's back pain, head pain, period pain……

• "Pain ailments" account for nearly a quarter of all minor ailments (1).
• The most common type of pain is the headache, followed by backache, colds and muscular pain.(2)

Headaches

• Headaches are the most common of all complaints affecting 96% of the population (3).
• Twice as many women as men suffer from migraines.(4)
• Before puberty boys are more likely to suffer migraines than girls.(4)
• 25% of the population suffers from migraines.(3)

Back pain

• 40% of adults experience back pain (5), with over 1 million people having work-related back pain. (6)
• 57% of supermarket cashiers experience lower back pain.(6)
• 2 out of 3 cases of acute back pain clear up spontaneously within a month.(6)

Muscular pains

• Men are more likely to suffer muscular injuries than women (31% vs. 28%), probably due to the type and frequency of sport undertaken.(1)
• Frequency of muscular pains decrease with age, with 37% of the 15-19 years old group reporting most injuries. The exception is the 50-64 years olds (35%).(1)

Colds & Flu

• 75% of people suffer from aches and pains as a result of cold or flu.(2)
• 10% of people take time off work as a result of aches and pains from colds.(2)

Period Pains

• 50% of the female population suffers from period pains.(7)
• Queen Victoria suffered from period pains - and used cannabis to ease them!

Painful feelings (8)

• 86% of people said that pain made them feel some form of emotion.
• Nearly half of the population (46%) said they felt tired when suffering pain.
• Only 60% of the population treat pain with medicines, leaving 40% suffering pain.
• Nearly 1 in10 of the population do nothing to relieve pain, probably believing that it is a sign of weakness to do so.

Age Differences

• The younger age group (16-24 years old) is more likely to feel angry and annoyed as a result of pain than older people.
• Those most likely not to treat their pain are the 16-24 year olds.
• The older age groups are more likely to seek medical advice, whether from GP or pharmacist.

Men v Women

• Twice as many women get upset & emotional with pain as men. These women were predominantly in the 25-34 year old age group and from the North of England.
• The feelings of anger and annoyance are just as common in men as in women when experiencing pain. Again the feelings are more common in the younger age group, living in the North.

Regional Divide

• Scotland/North This region is most likely to feel angry and annoyed as a result of pain. One in three feel emotional and upset. People in the North are almost twice as likely to visit their GP than those in the rest of the country.
• Midland/Wales This region is least likely to associate pain with an emotional feeling, but is most likely to suffer from lack of concentration due to pain.
• South Southerners felt the least angry, but are the most antisocial when in pain.

References:
(1) PAGB Everyday Healthcare Study 1997
(2) The Oral Analgesics Market Report 1996-1997
(3) Doctor 02-12-1998
(4) www.Painforum.com 01-02-2000
(5) Hospital Doctor 30-06-99
(6) www.backpain.org/b-facts/ 16-02-2000
(7) Hospital Doctor 16-11-99
(8) CHIC Pain Campaign Survey 2000

For further information please contact:

Karen Kelshaw
Consumer Health Information Centre
tel: 020 7421 9314
fax: 020 7421 9317
email: karen.kelshaw@pagb.co.uk

Pam Prentice
Doctor Patient Partnership
tel: 020 7383 6144
out of office hours: 0780 3399826
email: pprentice@bma.org.uk

Marianne Smith
Doctor Patient Partnership
tel 020 7383 6828
fax: 020 7383 6966
email: msmith@bma.org.u