Abstract
ABSTRACT In international studies, higher prevalence of persistent pain has been reported in indigenous populations compared to majority populations. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of persistent pain within a Sami and a non-Sami population in northern Norway, with adjustment for the confounding factors of age, sex, marital status, education, income, mental health, smoking status and ethnic background. Using SAMINOR 2 survey data including Sami and non-Sami populations, we analysed 5,546 responses, from individuals aged 40–79 years, to questions concerning persistent pain (≥ 3 months). In total, 2,426 (43.7%) participants reported persistent pain with differences between Sami women and non-Sami women (44.1% versus 51.1%, respectively), but none between Sami men and non-Sami men (38.7% versus 38.2%, respectively). Elderly Sami women were less likely to report persistent pain than were elderly non-Sami women. In men, no ethnic differences in pain were observed according to age-group. Marital status, education levels, household income, psychological distress, and smoking status did not influence the association between ethnicity and pain. Pain severity and location did not differ between Sami and non-Sami participants. In this study, we found only minor ethnic differences in persistent pain. Similar living conditions and cultural features may explain these findings.
Highlights
Persistent pain has been shown to have a significant effect on health and function and has been reported to be the most common reason given for sick leaves and disability pensions in Norway [1]
This study investigated the prevalence of persistent pain within a Sami and non-Sami population in north ern Norway, with adjustment for the confounding fac tors of age, sex, marital status, education, income, mental health, smoking status, and ethnic background
The reported prevalence of current persistent pain (43.7%) in our study was high compared to previous international studies, which have reported prevalence rates for pain ranging from 12% to 32% [33,34]; how ever, our results were in line with findings from epide miological research in Norway that showed an overall prevalence rate concerning musculoskeletal complaints of 47.9% [2]
Summary
Persistent pain has been shown to have a significant effect on health and function and has been reported to be the most common reason given for sick leaves and disability pensions in Norway [1]. Populationbased studies have shown increasing prevalence rates for persistent pain [1,2]. The experience and expressions of persistent pain may be influenced by biological, cultural, psychological, and social factors [3]. Low income and low levels of education have been associated with higher prevalence rates for persistent pain [4]. Population-based studies have reported that psychological factors such as anxiety and depression, as well as resilience, are closely asso ciated with persistent pain [7,8]
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