Chronic pain in New Zealand: a community sample

Aim The 2010 New Zealand Chronic Pain Survey aimed to gather information from people who experience chronic pain about their pain, mental health, disabilities, and acceptance of pain. Methods In December 2010, surveys were distributed in paper or online to GPs, hospitals, pain clinics asking for people with chronic pain to respond. The survey was open for 6 weeks. Results There were 142 responses to the survey. Most people reported more than one cause of their pain, and pain in more than one site. Although respondents reported a wide range of causes of their pain, most people were unsure of the cause, or endorsed injury or arthritis as the cause. The most common site of pain was the lower back, followed by the pelvis and joints. Levels of disability were high. Pain was significantly correlated with depression and anxiety, and negatively correlated with acceptance. Conclusion New Zealanders experience chronic pain stemming from multiple origins, with multiple causes. Consistent with international data, the experience of pain causes high levels of mental health issues and disability, but can be modulated by acceptance. Future studies should examine treatment availability and effectiveness.