(403) Knowledge, experience, and beliefs about pain and analgesia: Results of a general household survey in Texas

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe knowledge, experience, and beliefs about pain among Texas residents as part of a statewide effort to improve pain management. These data were obtained from a 2006 statewide telephone survey of adult full-time Texas residents designed to collect information about individuals’ knowledge, experience, and beliefs regarding pain and pain management. Of the 503 adults who participated in this study, half were female, 53% were white, 28% were Latino, 12% were black, and 39% were 31-50 years of age. Fifty-one percent of respondents indicated that they experience pain monthly, and of these people, 43% have pain everyday, 55% have had pain for at least three years, and 63% have moderate to severe pain. Consequences of pain included sometimes feeling anxious, irritable or depressed (66%), loss of sleep (61%), negative effect on relationships with loved ones and friends (35%), inability to dress myself, drive a car, or go shopping (34%), and feeling hopeless and alone (29%). The most common sources of pain among study participants were arthritis (30%), back pain (23%), and muscle pain (10%). While 57% of persons with pain had sought care, common reasons for not seeking pain included a lack of understanding that untreated pain could worsen (75%) or that pain should be treated as a separate condition (71%), fear of the underlying cause (67%), belief that pain is just a normal part of life (59%), did not know where to go for help (58%), and fear of addiction, embarrassment, or did not want to complain (57%). Furthermore, only 60% of study participants were very confident that their pain would be properly assessed and promptly treated. These data provide insight into the epidemiology, economics, and consequences of pain among Texas adults, and indicate opportunities to improve care for persons with pain.