Pain and labor outcomes: A longitudinal study of adults with cerebral palsy in Sweden

Abstract

Background: Pain is a global health concern with substantial societal costs and limits the activity participation of individuals. The prevalence of pain is estimated to be high among individuals with cerebral palsy (CP).

Objectives: To estimate the association between pain and labor outcomes for adults with CP in Sweden.

Methods: A longitudinal cohort study based on data from Swedish population-based administrative registers of 6899 individuals (53,657 person-years) with CP aged 20-64 years. Individual fixed effects regression models were used to analyze the association between pain and labor outcomes (employment and earnings from employment), as well as potential pathways through which pain might affect employment and earnings.

Results: Pain was associated with adverse outcomes varying across severity, corresponding to a reduction of 7-12% in employment and 2-8% in earnings if employed. Pain might affect employment and earnings through increased likelihood of both sickness leave and early retirement.

Conclusion: Pain management could potentially be important to improve labor outcomes for adults with CP, in addition to improving the quality of life.

Keywords: Adults; Cerebral palsy; Earnings; Employment; Labor outcomes; Pain.