Physical Illness in Early Life Increases Risk of Chronic Pain

Investigators recently examined the association between serious illness in earlier life and the risk of pain in old age. Using data from a large national survey in the United Kingdom that included 2,401 participants, researchers found that 10.5% of participants reported chronic widespread pain. Furthermore, those who experienced serious illness before the age of 25 that required hospital admission longer than 28 days had a greater likelihood of developing chronic widespread pain than those with no history of serious illness. The findings suggest that individuals who have experienced serious illness earlier in life may require more support to reduce their risk of chronic pain in later life. Pain, August 2016