A Description of Health Care Utilization in Young Adults With Chronic Overlapping Pain

Chronic overlapping pain conditions (COPCs) affect young adults and pose significant challenges in medical care. This study aimed to describe the types and number of current and past medical providers and medications used by young adults with COPCs and to explore associations between health care utilization, clinical pain, and psychosocial factors.

Fifty young adults (mean age: 27.16 y) with COPCs were recruited and completed online questionnaires assessing demographics, pain intensity and interference, number of pain conditions, health care providers consulted, medication use, and psychosocial characteristics. Relationships among health care utilization, clinical pain measures, and psychosocial variables were analyzed using Pearson correlations and linear regression models.

Participants reported an average of 4.40 COPCs, with fibromyalgia, chronic low back pain, and chronic fatigue syndrome being the most common. Most (72%) were currently receiving medical treatment, with primary care physicians being the most frequently consulted providers. The average number of current providers was 2.82, while the number of past providers was 4.28. Despite extensive health care engagement, 77.7% reported no improvement or worsening of their condition. No significant associations were found between the number of providers or medications and clinical or psychosocial outcomes.

The findings highlight gaps in the effectiveness of health care utilization for young adults with COPCs. The high prevalence of provider visits and medication use without substantial symptom improvement suggests a need for more integrated, multidisciplinary care approaches. Future research should focus on optimizing treatment strategies and identifying opportunities for early intervention.