Prevalence Of Food Insecurity And Associated Factors Among Adults Living With Chronic Pain In Quebec, Canada: A...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Chronic Pain Management
• Socioeconomic Determinants of Health

Background:

• Food insecurity, defined as inadequate access to food due to financial constraints, is a significant public health issue.
• Research specifically addressing food insecurity among individuals experiencing chronic pain remains limited.
• Understanding this intersection is crucial for developing comprehensive patient support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of food insecurity within a cohort of individuals living with chronic pain in Quebec, Canada.
• To identify demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic factors associated with food insecurity in this population.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study utilizing data from 1549 participants in the CEMPUS Cohort (chronic pain patients).
• Data collected via phone or online questionnaires in 2024, employing the Canadian 10-item Household Food Security Survey Module.
• Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify associated factors.

Main Results:

• Food insecurity was reported by 21.4% (18-24 years) to 28.8% (25-34 years), with lower prevalence in older age groups.
• Associated factors for higher food insecurity included younger age, anxiety, depression, smoking, presence of children, and longer pain duration.
• Conversely, older age and higher household income were linked to lower odds of food insecurity.

Conclusions:

• The study highlights a substantial prevalence of food insecurity among individuals with chronic pain.
• Identified risk factors, such as mental health conditions and socioeconomic status, suggest targets for intervention.
• Emphasizes the importance of integrating food security considerations into chronic pain research and support strategies for improved health equity.