Story Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: S M L XL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK

Chronic pain affects 1 in 3 Canadians: poll

Last Updated: Wednesday, November 7, 2007 | 5:34 PM ET

One in three Canadians suffers from chronic pain, which can lead to depression, relationship problems and workplace issues, suggests a new poll.

The SES Research survey found that 16 per cent of those surveyed report living in constant pain, and 20 per cent experience pain on a daily basis.

A family shovels snow. When study participants were asked to rate, between 0 and 10, the following statement: 'My family does not understand how pain affects my life,' 30 per cent scored between seven and 10.A family shovels snow. When study participants were asked to rate, between 0 and 10, the following statement: 'My family does not understand how pain affects my life,' 30 per cent scored between seven and 10.
(CBC)

The telephone poll of 2,000 Canadians was conducted for the Canadian Pain Society from Oct. 10 to 22. Respondents were asked whether they had chronic pain and how they rated the intensity of their pain.

Three hundred people who said they had moderate to severe chronic pain underwent additional in-depth interviews with SES interviewers.

"Pain is clearly having an enormous impact upon the lives of Canadians," said Nikita Nanos, president of SES Research, in a release. " A full third of individuals with moderate to severe pain said that they had lost their job as a result of it and half said that they had seen a reduction in income."

According to the poll, the income loss due to pain was estimated at $12,558 over a one-year time period.

Thirty-three per cent of Canadians surveyed said moderate or chronic pain makes them feel helpless.

It also revealed relationship and family issues associated with pain. When study participants were asked to give a score of between 0 and 10 to the following statement: "My family does not understand how pain affects my life," 30 per cent scored between seven and 10.

As for employment problems associated with chronic pain conditions, 33 per cent of respondents who suffer from moderate or severe chronic pain said they had lost their job as a result of their condition, while 25 per cent strongly agreed with the statement: "I fear my pain will cause me to lose my job."

SES Research did not provide a margin of error for the results.

Related

More Health Headlines »

Triglyceride blood fat levels linked to stroke: study
People who have high levels of triglycerides — a type of blood fat — in their bloodstream may be at a higher risk of a certain kind of stroke, new research finds.
Avastin prolongs survival of women with breast cancer: study
The cancer drug Avastin — taken with chemotherapy — prolongs the survival of women with breast cancers that have spread, new U.S. research indicates.
StatsCan needs to do better in measuring health-care: study
Canadians are likely getting more value from the health-care system than Statistics Canada's figures suggest, says an Ottawa-based think tank.
Honey-drenched dressings touted as the bee's knees for wounds
Amid growing concern over drug-resistant superbugs and nonhealing wounds that endanger diabetes patients, nature's original antibiotic — honey — is making a comeback.
Truro hospital struggles with backlog of nuclear tests
The Colchester East Hants Health Authority is facing a backlog of nuclear health tests as the supply of radioisotopes is finally replenished.
Story Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: S M L XL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACK

World »

Former PM Bhutto assassinated at Pakistan rally Video
Former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto was killed Thursday in an apparent suicide attack at a campaign rally in which at least 20 others died.
Bush condemns 'cowardly act by murderous extremists' Video
The United States, Russia and other counties were quick to condemn the suicide attack that killed former Pakistani prime minister Benazir Bhutto Thursday, with the Russians stressing the danger of wider violence.
Death toll rises to 87 from Indonesian floods, landslides
The toll of those dead or feared missing from floods and landslides in Indonesia rose to 87 on Thursday, said Rustam Pakaya, a ministry of health disaster official.
more »

Canada »

'Shocking' Arctic ice melt year's top weather story: Environment Canada Video
The top weather story of 2007 was about climate change, Environment Canada said Thursday in releasing its annual list of most important, widespread and most newsworthy events.
Big consumer tax relief still years away: Flaherty
It will take years before the federal government can bring in the kind of historic tax reductions for ordinary Canadians that it delivered for businesses in October, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said.
In Canada, shock and grief at Bhutto's death Video
In Canada, people with roots in Pakistan struggle to adjust to the death of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
more »

Health »

Triglyceride blood fat levels linked to stroke: study
People who have high levels of triglycerides — a type of blood fat — in their bloodstream may be at a higher risk of a certain kind of stroke, new research finds.
Avastin prolongs survival of women with breast cancer: study
The cancer drug Avastin — taken with chemotherapy — prolongs the survival of women with breast cancers that have spread, new U.S. research indicates.
StatsCan needs to do better in measuring health-care: study
Canadians are likely getting more value from the health-care system than Statistics Canada's figures suggest, says an Ottawa-based think tank.
more »

Arts & Entertainment»

Madonna's directorial debut to unspool at Berlin film fest
Madonna will make her debut as a filmmaker with a short set to premiere at February's Berlin International Film Festival, organizers announced Thursday.
Warner Music Group to sell songs online free of copy protection
Warner Music Group, a major holdout on selling music online without copy protection, caved in to the growing trend Thursday and agreed to sell its tunes on Amazon.com Inc.'s digital music store.
U.S. to preserve 25 more movies
The U.S. has added 25 movies to the National Film Registry, which seeks to ensure the classics will be preserved for future generations.
more »

Technology & Science »

'Shocking' Arctic ice melt year's top weather story: Environment Canada Video
The top weather story of 2007 was about climate change, Environment Canada said Thursday in releasing its annual list of most important, widespread and most newsworthy events.
Text message blizzard expected New Year's Eve
Canadians are expected to send twice as many text messages on New Year's Eve as they did last year, a cellphone company says.
Apple, Fox to offer iTunes movie rentals
Apple Inc. has partnered with entertainment giant 20th Century Fox to offer movie rentals through the popular iTunes program, according to a news report.
more »

Money »

Big consumer tax relief still years away: Flaherty
It will take years before the federal government can bring in the kind of historic tax reductions for ordinary Canadians that it delivered for businesses in October, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said.
CV Technologies cuts Q4 loss
CV Technologies Inc., the Edmonton-based maker of Cold-fX, said Thursday that it cut its fourth-quarter loss as its sales showed a modest increase.
Agrium to refile U.S. antitrust documents Friday
Shares of fertilizer maker Agrium rose Thursday after the company got itself more time for U.S. regulators to consider the company's $2.65-billion US friendly bid for UAP Holding Corp.
more »

Consumer Life »

Air Canada tests luggage self-tagging system
Air Canada is hoping to soon have a system in place to allow passengers to tag their own luggage at electronic check-in kiosks.
Text message blizzard expected New Year's Eve
Canadians are expected to send twice as many text messages on New Year's Eve as they did last year, a cellphone company says.
Apple, Fox to offer iTunes movie rentals
Apple Inc. has partnered with entertainment giant 20th Century Fox to offer movie rentals through the popular iTunes program, according to a news report.
more »

Sports »

Scores: CFL MLB MLS

Canada goes to 2-0 at world hockey juniors
Kyle Turris scored both goals to lead Canada's junior team to a 2-0 victory over Slovakia at the world championship in a game featuring outstanding goaltending from Julius Hudacek in the opposition goal.
Canadiens hope to regain their touch on the road
Montreal Canadiens are in Tampa on Thursday night trying to regain some recent lost form on the road, while the Lightning hope to get back on the home horse after slipping lately.
Wickenheiser wins Bobbie Rosenfield Award
Hayley Wickenheiser was named the Canadian Press female athlete of the year on Thursday.
more »