Impacts of Pain

Persistent pain can interfere with your enjoyment of life. It can make it hard to sleep, work, socialize with friends and family and accomplish everyday tasks.

Try not to allow your physical illness or pain to take over your life. Pain is a part of you, but it is not who you are. Managing your pain is an important step to reclaiming your life and ensuring it does not control you.3

The cost of pain is high:

  • $100,000 billion is the estimated annual cost of chronic pain in the United States, including healthcare expenses and lost income.4
  • In the workplace, 14% of employees take time off from their jobs due to pain conditions.4
  • Studies suggest that more than a third of the American population suffers from a chronic pain condition at some point in their life.4
  • In hospitalized patients, pain has been associated with increased length of stay, longer recovery time, and poorer patient outcomes.4
  • An estimated 20% of Americans report that pain or physical discomfort disrupts their sleep a few or more nights a week.5

2006 Voices of Chronic Pain Survey

A 2006 survey sponsored by Endo Pharmaceuticals evaluated the impact that chronic pain had on 303 chronic pain sufferers who sought care from their physician and were currently using an opioid to treat their pain.

Key Findings:

Impact of Pain on Quality of Life

  • Almost two thirds (59%) reported an impact on their overall enjoyment of life.6
  • More than three quarters of patients (77%) reported feeling depressed.6
  • 70% said they have trouble concentrating.6
  • 74% said their energy level is impacted by their pain.6
  • 86% reported an inability to sleep well.6

Impact on Day-to-Day Life

  • More than half (52%) said their chronic pain has put a strain on relationships with family and friends.6
  • Nearly 70% said their pain has a great deal of impact on their work.6
  • 50% have lost a job or chance for a promotion due to their chronic pain.6
  • More than a quarter (27%) said chronic pain impacts their ability to drive a car.6

The Voices of Chronic Pain Survey was conducted via the Internet by International Communications Research for the American Pain Foundation with the financial support of Endo Pharmaceuticals. The full report is available from APF.