Nationwide cross-sectional study of the impact of chronic pain on an individual's employment: relationship with the family and the social support.
OBJECTIVES
To determine the prevalence and the factors related to sick leave and job loss among individuals suffering from chronic pain (CP), and to analyse specifically the effect of family and social support on the individual's employment.


DESIGN
Observational cross-sectional study.


SETTING
Data were collected using structured computer-assisted telephone interviews between February and June 2011.


PARTICIPANTS
A nationwide study of 1543 Spanish adults of working age (<65), 213 of whom suffered from CP (pain suffered at least 4 or 5 days a week during the past 3 months, according to the criteria of the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP)).


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE
Information was collected regarding the individual's sociodemographic status, pain characteristics, healthcare use and satisfaction, limitations in daily activities, mood status, perception of the impact of pain on their families, and their satisfaction with the family and social support. To identify factors associated with sick leave and job loss among those suffering CP, 2 logistic regression models were generated.


RESULTS
The prevalence of sick leave due to CP in the general Spanish population was 4.21% (95% CI 3.2% to 5.2%). Sick leave were more likely for individuals who considered their family were affected by their pain (OR=2.18), needed help to dressing and grooming (OR=2.98), taking medication (OR=2.18), had a shorter pain duration (OR=0.99) and higher educational level. The prevalence of job loss due to CP was 1.8% (95% CI 1.1% to 2.5%). It was related to feelings of sadness (OR=4.25), being unsatisfied with the care provided by health professionals (OR=2.60) and consulting a doctor more often due to CP (OR=1.09).


CONCLUSIONS
CP is negatively associated with an individual's employment. This detrimental effect could be ameliorated if the factors related to sick leave and job loss provoked by CP are identified, especially those related to the effect of CP on the family and social environment.
['de Sola|Helena|H|', 'Salazar|Alejandro|A|', 'Dueñas|María|M|', 'Ojeda|Begoña|B|', 'Failde|Inmaculada|I|']
D000203:Activities of Daily Living D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D000700:Analgesics D059350:Chronic Pain D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D004522:Educational Status D004644:Emotions D005190:Family D005260:Female D006801:Humans D016015:Logistic Models D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D016017:Odds Ratio D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care D017060:Patient Satisfaction D015995:Prevalence D018582:Sick Leave D012944:Social Support D013030:Spain D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires D014478:Unemployment D055815:Young Adult
Chronic Pain Sick leave Job loss Family impact