[Epidemiological factors relating to long-term/chronic non-cancer pain in Denmark]

The prevalence rate of chronic non-cancer pain in Denmark is about 19%. The incidence rate of development of chronic pain is also high, 1.8% per year. Risk factors for belonging to the chronic pain population and for developing chronic pain are female gender, low educational status, poor self-rated health and age. Individuals reporting long-lasting pain use the health care system (primary and secondary sectors) about twice as much as individuals without pain. The annual number of working days lost due to chronic pain is estimated at about 1,000,000.