Patterns of chronic pain in the New Zealand population

This study describes the prevalence and impact of chronic and recent pain in the New Zealand population and the groups most likely to report and use treatment for their chronic pain. Results are compared with international estimates.

Data from the 2006/07 New Zealand Health Survey were analysed covering chronic pain, sociodemographic characteristics, chronic pain treatment use and health related quality of life. Prevalence estimates are presented. Chi-squared and logistic regression analyses were used to identify factors most strongly associated with chronic pain.

One in six (16.9%) New Zealanders reported chronic pain. Prevalence increased with age from 8.6% to 28.1%. People in the lowest two levels of three economic living standards categories had much higher adjusted odds (3.5 and 1.9) of reporting chronic pain than those with high economic living standards. Pacific and Asian peoples had much lower odds of reporting chronic pain compared with European/Other. Over a third (36%) did not use any treatment for their chronic pain while nearly half (48%) used some form of medical treatment. People with greater severity of recent pain, women and older age groups had much higher odds of using medical treatment for their chronic pain. A substantial minority did not report any treatment for their chronic pain. Higher numbers of chronic pain sites and greater severity of recent pain were associated with much lower scores across all the SF-36 physical and mental health domains.

Patterns of chronic pain in the New Zealand are similar to those found internationally and indicate that chronic pain represents a major health issue in New Zealand.