Journal article
Veterans with chronic pain: Examining gender differences in pain type, overlap, and the impact of post-traumatic stress disorder
European journal of pain, Vol.28(8), pp.1311-1319
08/13/2024
DOI: 10.1002/ejp.2258
PMID: 38450917
Appears in UI Libraries Support Open Access
Abstract
Women are more likely to experience multiple overlapping pain conditions (MOPCs) relative to men. Post-traumatic stress disorder can negatively impact the severity and trajectory of chronic pain and its treatment. Specific associations between gender, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and MOPCs require further examination.
A cohort of all Veterans in 2021 who met criteria for one or more of 12 chronic pain types was created using national Veterans Health Administration administrative data. MOPCs were defined as the number of pain types for which each patient met criteria. Multivariable logistic regression models estimated gender differences in frequency for each of the 12 pain subtypes, after controlling for demographics and comorbidities. Negative binomial regression was used to estimate gender differences in the count of MOPCs and to explore moderation effects between gender and PTSD.
The cohort included 1,936,859 Veterans with chronic pain in 2021, which included 12.5% women. Among those with chronic pain, women Veterans had higher rates of MOPCs (mean = 2.3) relative to men (mean = 1.9): aIRR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.30-1.32. PTSD also served as an independent risk factor for MOPCs in adjusted analysis (aIRR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.23-1.24). The interaction term between gender and PTSD was not significant (p = 0.87). Independent of PTSD, depressive disorders also served as a strong risk factor for MOPCs (aIRR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.36-1.37).
Individuals with MOPCs and PTSD may have complex treatment needs. They may benefit from highly coordinated trauma-sensitive care and integrated interventions that simultaneously address pain and PTSD.
Women were significantly more likely than men to experience MOPCs. PTSD was also significantly, independently, associated with MOPCs. Patients, particularly women, may benefit from tailored interventions that address both trauma and MOPCs.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Veterans with chronic pain: Examining gender differences in pain type, overlap, and the impact of post-traumatic stress disorder
- Creators
- Katherine Hadlandsmyth - University of IowaMary A Driscoll - Yale UniversityNicole L Johnson - Iowa City VA Health Care SystemJasmine G Mares - Iowa City VA Health Care SystemMichelle A Mengeling - University of IowaEmily B K Thomas - University of IowaSonya B Norman - National Center for Post Traumatic Stress DisorderBrian C Lund - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- European journal of pain, Vol.28(8), pp.1311-1319
- Publisher
- Wiley
- DOI
- 10.1002/ejp.2258
- PMID
- 38450917
- eISSN
- 1532-2149
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 03/07/2024
- Date published
- 08/13/2024
- Academic Unit
- Psychiatry; Epidemiology; Psychological and Brain Sciences; Anesthesia; General Internal Medicine; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984572243502771
Metrics
7 Record Views