US Pharm. 2008;33(5):16.
The characteristics of
individuals 18 years of age and older in 2006 who suffered from lower-back
pain (27.4%), migraines (15.1%), or neck pain (14.3%) three months prior to
being surveyed were analyzed and reported in the National Health Interview
Survey (2006).
Sex:
In all three categories, women exceeded men in the likelihood of experiencing
pain. For migraines, the ratio of female to male sufferers was 2:1. White
women had the highest rate of prevalence of neck pain (18.0%), followed by
Hispanic women (16.8%), white men (13.2%), and African American women (12.6%).
Age:
With increased age, the prevalence of lower-back pain rose and that of
migraines declined. Age groups of 45 to 64 years, 65 to 74 years, and 75 years
and older had a similar prevalence of neck pain (range 31.1%–32.2%), but the
group aged 18 to 44 years had a lower prevalence (23.9%).
Race:
Asian respondents had the lowest prevalence of any of the three types of
pain, while American Indian and Alaskan Native respondents, combined, had the
highest rate. For neck pain and lower-back pain, white subjects outnumbered
African American subjects. The difference in rate of prevalence of migraines
between white respondents and their African American counterparts was
insignificant.
Education:
Across pain categories, prevalence was lowest among individuals who attained
a bachelor's degree or higher. The highest rates of prevalence in all three
categories were among participants who had some amount of college education.
Family Income:
There was overall consistency in the pattern of prevalence across different
income levels for all types of pain. The highest prevalence was among
individuals whose family income was less than $20,000, and the rate decreased
overall as family income increased. The lowest prevalence was among
individuals whose family income was $75,000 or more.
Poverty Level:
Prevalence of lower-back pain, migraines, and neck pain was highest among
poor respondents. The lowest rate of prevalence was among respondents who were
not poor. Those who were categorized as "near poor" fell in between these
rates.
Health Insurance:
Prevalence rates of the three types of pain among participants under the age
of 65 years who had private insurance or were uninsured were nearly half those
of their counterparts covered by Medicaid.
Marital Status:
Divorced/separated subjects, followed by widowed subjects, had the highest
prevalence of neck pain and migraines; never-married subjects had the lowest
prevalence rates in both categories. The prevalence of lower-back pain was
highest in subjects who lived with a partner, followed closely by those who
were widowed and those who were divorced/ separated. Individuals who were
married had the lowest rate of prevalence of lower-back pain.
Region:
Residents of the Midwest and the Northeast experienced the most lower-back
pain. The South and the Midwest had the highest prevalence of migraines. The
West and the Midwest were the regions where the prevalence of neck pain was
highest; the South had the lowest prevalence.
To comment on this article,
contact rdavidson@jobson.com.