A recent study has uncovered the staggering economic burden of chronic pain on Norwegian society, estimating that the condition costs the country approximately 4% of its gross domestic product (GDP) annually. The study, which monitored healthcare and productivity costs over several years, emphasises the significant financial impact of chronic pain, which is primarily due to losses in work productivity. The findings were published in the European Journal of Pain.
The study analysed data from two major Norwegian population health studies, HUNT3 and Tromsø6, with a focus on individuals who self-reported chronic pain. The researchers followed these participants from 2010 to 2016, linking their health data with national registers on healthcare usage and work absence. According to the findings, 36% of the study’s participants were identified as having chronic pain, with an average age of 56.6 years.
One of the most striking findings was the difference in economic costs between individuals with chronic pain and those without. By 2016, the total annual economic burden per individual with chronic pain was estimated at €15,825, more than double the €7,614 for those without chronic pain. This difference, amounting to €8,211 per individual, was predominantly attributed to productivity losses, which accounted for 80% of the overall burden. The study’s authors calculated that this equated to an accumulated difference of €55,003 per individual with chronic pain over the six-year period.
The research found that individuals with chronic pain had higher rates of healthcare utilisation across all categories, including outpatient visits, hospitalisations, surgeries, and prescription medications. However, the most significant cost driver was work absence, particularly in the form of disability pensions. In 2016, individuals with chronic pain of working age averaged 56 days of disability pension, compared to just 16 days for those without pain. This substantial difference highlights the chronic nature of the condition and its long-term impact on work ability.
The study also revealed that individuals with chronic pain were more likely to have other health conditions, lower levels of education, and lower household incomes compared to those without chronic pain. These factors contribute to the higher economic burden observed in the chronic pain group.
The researchers noted that while their findings underscore the high societal costs of chronic pain, the study does not address the reasons behind the treatment choices for these patients or how they navigate the healthcare system. Additionally, the study did not explore variations in the economic burden between different causes of chronic pain, degrees of severity, or other contributing factors.
Despite the significant financial impact, the study points to a concerning disparity in the allocation of resources and funding for chronic pain treatment and research. Chronic pain, which affects a significant portion of the population, receives disproportionately little attention in terms of research funding and the availability of specialised care. The study highlights that, while musculoskeletal diseases related to chronic pain constitute about 13.8% of total societal costs, they receive only 1.4% of research funding in Norway.
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