Korean J Pain.  2025 Jan;38(1):69-78. 10.3344/kjp.24314.

Perceptions of treatment, accompanying symptoms, and other problems in patients with chronic pain: a multicenter cross-sectional study in Korea

• Bae J
• Lim YH
• Hong SJ
• Jeong JH
• Choi HR
• Park SK
• Kim JE
• Kim JH

• KMID: 2563873
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3344/kjp.24314

Abstract

Background
Chronic pain significantly affects daily activities, mental health, and the interpersonal relationships of patients. Consequently, physicians use various treatments to manage pain. This study investigated the perceptions of treatment, accompanying symptoms, and other problems in patients with chronic pain.
Methods
The authors enrolled patients with chronic pain from 19 university hospitals in South Korea. Data was collected on age, gender, diagnosis, disease duration, severity of pain, perception of pain treatment, and accompanying symptoms or problems using an anonymous survey comprising 19 questions.
Results
In total, 833 patients with chronic pain completed the survey, and 257 (31.0%) and 537 (64.5%) patients expressed concerns about the potential adverse effects of medication and opioid addiction, respectively. Personality changes such as irritability or anger were the most frequent accompanying symptoms in 507 (63.8%) patients, followed by depression and sleep disturbance in 462 (58.1%) and 450 (54.5%) patients, respectively. Depression (P = 0.001) and anxiety (P = 0.029) were more common among women, whereas divorce (P = 0.016), family conflict (P < 0.001), unemployment (P < 0.001), suicide attempts (P < 0.001), and restrictions on economic activity (P < 0.001) were more common among men. The frequency of accompanying symptoms, except for suicidal ideation, was higher in the younger patients aged ≤ 40 years than in the older patients aged > 40 years.
Conclusions
Many patients with chronic pain had concerns about adverse effects or medication tolerance and experienced anxiety, depression, or sleep disturbances. The prevalence of accompanying problems varies according to age and gender.

Keyword

Analgesics, Opioid; Anxiety; Chronic Pain; Depression; Nerve Block; Neuralgia; Psychosocial Functioning; Spinal Diseases; Treatment Outcome

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Proportions of patients according to the diagnosis. MPS: myofascial pain syndrome.

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  Fig. 2 Perception about pain medication among participants. S/E: side effect.

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  Fig. 3 Opinion about nerve block among participants.

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  Fig. 4 Prevalence of the accompanying problems among participants.

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  Fig. 5 Prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicidal attempts among participants.

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  Fig. 6 Prevalence of difficulties with people around them because of pain among participants.

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