The Burden of Chronic Pain on Women: A Secondary Analysis of Data From the National Study on Disability (ENDISC) in Chile

Abstract

Background: Chronic pain is a prevalent condition that disproportionately affects women, significantly impairing their functioning. Understanding its prevalence and impact is essential for designing effective interventions. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of chronic pain among women and assess its effects on functioning.

Methods: This cross-sectional analysis utilised data from the National Study on Disability (ENDISC-2022) in Chile, focusing on women aged 18 years and older. Chronic pain was assessed through self-reported data, and functioning was evaluated using performance indicators derived from the Model Disability Survey (MDS). Generalised Linear Models (GLM) were applied to examine associations with sociodemographic and psychosocial variables, and stratified analyses compared women with and without chronic pain.

Results: Among the 30,010 participants in the ENDISC study, 14.8% reported chronic pain, with 67.1% of those affected being women. Women experiencing chronic pain exhibited significantly poorer performance scores across all evaluated domains compared to their counterparts without pain. The GLM regression analysis revealed that women with chronic pain had a significantly higher risk of worse functioning scores compared to those without chronic pain.

Conclusions: Sociodemographic factors such as age, education level, and employment status further influenced outcomes, underscoring the vulnerability of women with chronic pain. Chronic pain is a significant and pervasive issue among women in Chile, markedly impairing their functioning and well-being. Gender-sensitive approaches and policies are crucial to reducing the burden of chronic pain and improving the quality of life for affected women, particularly those in vulnerable sociodemographic groups.

Significance: The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions that address the multifaceted nature of chronic pain, including its physical, psychological, and social dimensions in women with pain and a more sensitive look at the difficulties encountered by this population, such as work issues.

Keywords: biopsychosocial model; chronic pain; disability; functioning; health equity; model disability survey; psychological factors; women.