Sex Differences in Pain and Pain-Related Disability among Primary Care Patients with Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain

Abstract

Background: Although previous research suggests women report more severe pain than men, evidence for sex-related differences in pain-related disability is conflicting. Also, the impact of psychological factors on sex differences in disability is uncertain.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to assess sex differences in pain-related disability and evaluate whether they are accounted for by psychological factors.

Methods: Analysis of baseline data from the Stepped Care for Affective disorders and Musculoskeletal Pain study. Participants included 241 male and 249 female primary care patients with moderately severe persistent pain of the back, hip, or knee. Multivariable log-linear models were used to determine the association between sex and pain-related disability and whether sex differences persisted after adjustment for psychiatric comorbidity and potential psychological mediators.

Results: Compared with men, women reported worse pain intensity, greater pain-related interference with function, and more disability days due to pain. They also had worse depression, anxiety, and self-efficacy. Sex differences in pain interference with function and pain disability days remained significant in multivariable models. Depression, poor self-efficacy, and fear of reinjury were independently associated with disability in both men and women.

Conclusions: Women report greater pain-related disability than do men, even after controlling for depression, anxiety, and other psychological factors. Pain management strategies that target functional disability may be particularly important in the treatment of women with pain.