Factors Associated with Current and Severe Pain among People Living with HIV: Results from a Statewide Sample

Abstract

Background People living with HIV (PLWH) are more likely to suffer from pain compared to the general public. Pain often clusters with mental health symptoms and substance use. This study sought to evaluate mental health and substance use factors associated with and pain and severe pain intensities among PLWH. Methods Data were derived from HIV+ adults (N=733) recruited from community health centers across Florida who completed questionnaires regarding demographics, chronic pain, HIV clinical outcomes, mental health symptoms, and substance use information. Pain was assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) short form. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was utilized to assess the relationship between selected covariates and pain. Results Approximately half (45.0%) of participants reported having current pain. After controlling for covariates, PLWH reporting current symptoms of anxiety or PTSD were 2.49 (CI=1.48, 4.18) and 1.69 (CI= 1.11, 2.57) times as likely to report pain compared to PLWH without those factors respectively. PLWH reporting current symptoms of anxiety and male participants were 2.03 (CI= 1.03, 4.01) and 2.02 (CI= 1.26, 3.24) times as likely to report severe pain compared to PLWH without those factors respectively. Conclusion The relationship between pain and mental health is complex, thus future research is needed to determine if pain treatments may reduce mental health symptoms or if treatments can be targeted to address both issues simultaneously