Chronic Pain Statistics In 2024
- Jul 25, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 28, 2024
Written by Inesa Ponomariovaite, Health Coach & Hemp Expert
Inesa is the visionary founder and CEO of Nesa’s Hemp, the world’s first-ever full-spectrum CBDa oil. It is created through a unique process Inesa developed that preserves all the healing compounds of the hemp plant. This promotes optimal healing and restores the body to its natural state.
Pain is a complex sensory and emotional experience that is a vital warning signal to the body. It is a subjective sensation influenced by various physical, emotional, and psychological elements. Pain can be acute or chronic, with acute pain typically arising suddenly in response to injury or tissue damage and resolving once the underlying cause is treated. In contrast, chronic pain persists beyond the average healing time and can last for months or even years, often significantly impacting an individual's quality of life.
Pain can be categorized based on its origin into nociceptive pain, which results from tissue damage or inflammation; neuropathic pain, caused by damage or dysfunction of the nervous system; and psychogenic pain, influenced by emotional or psychological factors. Pain can be further classified based on location, intensity, and duration.
Chronic pain conditions, such as fibromyalgia, chronic back pain, and neuropathic pain syndromes, pose significant challenges for patients and healthcare providers alike due to their complex nature and often inadequate response to conventional treatments. Addressing the physical, emotional, and social aspects of chronic pain through comprehensive pain management programs can help improve functional outcomes and enhance overall well-being for individuals living with chronic pain. Chronic pain affects approximately one in five individuals worldwide, which translates to roughly 1.5 billion people.
Chronic pain statistics by age
The chances of experiencing chronic pain increase with age. On this note, it is clear that older individuals are more likely to experience chronic pain than young people. People aged 65 and over tend to have a higher chance of reporting chronic pain. This can be attributed to factors such as age-related degenerative changes, comorbid health conditions, and decreased pain tolerance.
A thorough examination of chronic pain statistics from 2019 to 2023, published by Statista, reveals that over 35% of individuals suffering from chronic pain are aged 85 and older.
Chronic pain statistics by gender
Women and girls are more affected by chronic pain than men. Around half of chronic pain conditions are more common in women, while only 20% have a higher prevalence in men.
Data from Statista shows that in 2021, an estimated 19 percent of adult males and 21 percent of adult females in the United States suffered from chronic pain. Understanding these gender-based differences is crucial for developing tailored pain management strategies. Women’s higher prevalence of chronic pain could be influenced by factors such as hormonal differences, higher rates of certain chronic conditions, and varying pain thresholds.
Chronic pain statistics by type
Chronic pain can manifest in various forms and affect different body parts. The part of the body affected determines the location of the pain.
1. Neuropathic pain
It is estimated that neuropathic pain affects 7-10% of the global population, with most people suffering from the condition for more than 5 years. It is caused by damage or dysfunction in the nervous system, leading to pain signals being sent to the brain even without an injury. Common examples of this pain may include diabetic neuropathy, sciatica, postherpetic neuralgia (shingles-related pain), and trigeminal neuralgia. Data from the WHO shows that diabetic neuropathy is the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world, affecting over 206 million people in 2021. The number of people with diabetic neuropathy has more than tripled globally since 1990.
2. Inflammatory pain
Inflammatory pain arises from the body's response to injury, infection, or disease, where the immune system releases chemicals that cause inflammation in affected tissues. This inflammation results in swelling, redness, and heat, leading to pain as the body's natural defense mechanism aims to heal and protect the area. Worldwide, three out of five people die from chronic inflammatory diseases, including stroke, chronic respiratory diseases, heart disorders, cancer, obesity, and diabetes. These conditions are often interconnected, with chronic inflammation playing a central role in their development and progression, underscoring the critical need for preventive measures and effective treatments
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3. Nociceptive pain
These pains arise from damage to the body tissues, typically described as sharp, aching or throbbing pain. Examples of pains under this category include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory pain, and post-surgical pain.
Information from WHO shows that in 2019, approximately 528 million people worldwide were living with osteoarthritis. This was a 113% increase since 1990. The condition was more pronounced in people over the age of 55. Over 60% of people with arthritis are females. Arthritis affects 1 in 5 people in the United States. It is a significant contributor to disability and chronic pain.
How much will be spent on chronic pain in 2024?
The financial impact of pain is immense. Data from JAMA Network estimated an annual cost between $560 billion and $635 billion. This includes direct healthcare expenses of $261 billion to $300 billion, along with losses from missed workdays ($11.6 billion to $12.7 billion), missed work hours ($95.2 billion to $96.5 billion), and reduced wages ($190.6 billion to $226.3 billion). These figures exceed the combined costs of heart disease and cancer treatments.
Natural products used for chronic pain
1. Cannabis
In a survey of 1,724 adults, over 50% reported that cannabis use contributed to a reduction in their reliance on pain medications, including both prescription opioids and over-the-counter analgesics. Additionally, cannabis influenced the adoption of non-pharmacological pain relief methods in diverse ways. Some respondents found that cannabis led them to use traditional first-line treatments, such as physical therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy, less frequently than recommended by clinical guidelines. Conversely, others with chronic pain increased their engagement with these therapeutic approaches. Cannabis is also being explored as a possible replacement for opioids. Another study reported in 2022 showed a 64% reduction in opioid use amongst chronic pain patients who used medical cannabis. According to Nesas Hemp, there are over 219 million CBD users globally.
Cannabis is known to modulate the activities of the endocannabinoid system which plays critical roles in internal balance. The successful interaction between cannabinoids like CBDa and CBD with the endocannabinoid system is what promotes pain relief.
2. Turmeric (Curcumin)
Turmeric, containing the active compound curcumin, has potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It can help reduce pain and swelling associated with conditions like arthritis. Available as supplements, turmeric powder, or in teas, it is commonly used for its natural pain-relieving effects.
3. Ginger
Ginger is renowned for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It may help alleviate pain from conditions such as arthritis and muscle soreness. Consumed as fresh root, tea, or supplements, ginger's natural compounds reduce inflammation and improve pain management.
Read more from Inesa Ponomariovaite
Inesa is a Health Coach and Hemp Expert who assists people with proven methods to stay healthy by utilizing the healing power of plants. She is an advocate for healthy living, demonstrated by her success in helping her mother beat cancer, a result she is replicating with people around the world. Inesa believes in the power of nature and that everyone deserves to live their best life without total dependence on low-quality pharmaceuticals. As the CEO and founder of Nesa's Hemp, the world’s first full-spectrum CBDa hemp extract, she is on a mission to educate people about the healing power of hemp while providing top-quality hemp products tested by FDA-approved laboratories.
