Prevalence and psychiatric correlates of pain interference among men and women in the general population

ObjectiveTo examine gender differences in the associations of levels of pain interference and psychiatric disorders among a nationally representative sample of adult men and women.MethodChi-square tests and multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed on data obtained from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions from 42,750 adult respondents (48% men; 52% women), who were categorized according to three levels of pain interference (i.e., no or low pain interference NPI], moderate pain interference MPI], severe pain interference SPI]).ResultsFemale respondents in comparison to male respondents were more likely to exhibit moderate (p < 0.001) or severe pain interference (p < 0.001). Levels of pain interference were associated with past-year Axis I and lifetime Axis II psychiatric disorders in both male and female respondents (p < 0.05), with the largest odds typically observed in association with moderate or severe pain interference. A stronger relationship between MPI and alcohol abuse or dependence (OR = 1.61, p < 0.05) was observed in male participants as compared to female ones, while a stronger relationship between SPI and drug abuse or dependence (OR = 0.57, p < 0.05) was observed in female respondents as compared to male ones.ConclusionsLevels of pain interference are associated with the prevalence of Axis I and Axis II psychiatric disorders in both men and women. Differences in the patterns of co-occurring substance-related disorders between levels of pain interference in male and female respondents indicate the importance of considering gender-related factors associated with levels of pain interference in developing improved mental health prevention and treatment strategies.