Pain in Canadian Veterans: Analysis of Data from the Survey on Transition to Civilian Life

VanDenKerkhof, Elizabeth G.; VanTil, Linda; Thompson, James M.; Sweet, Jill; Hopman, Wilma M.; Carley, Meg; Sudom, Kerry

doi:10.1155/2015/763768

Cited by 43 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…11,12 There is an important link between mental disorders, 15,39,40 particularly posttraumatic stress disorder, 13,14,16,17 and chronic pain in several other populations; as such, the relatively high reports of chronic pain in PSP may be closely linked to the potentially traumatic nature of their work. 29 More specifically, psychological and physiological vulnerabilities, possibly genetically influenced, may predispose people to develop both mental disorders and chronic pain when exposed to certain environmental conditions (e.g., an event that is both traumatic and painful).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…9 Exposure to potentially traumatic events (e.g., exposure to threatened or actual physical assaults, fires, or explosions 10 ) is considered common for persons working as PSP, 11,12 and researchers have substantiated an important link between trauma and chronic pain in several other populations (e.g., military). [13][14][15][16][17] Despite the costs of chronic pain, the potential physical stressors, and the potentially problematic links between trauma and pain, the available information on chronic pain among PSP remains sparse, particularly in Canada. 9 Further, the extant data are typically focused on a single PSP category as opposed to a range of personnel, and the assessments used diverse data collection methods (e.g., broad sampling vs. sampling of injured persons only), tools (e.g., records review, self-report), sample sizes, pain questions, and time frames.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Chronic pain among public safety personnel in Canada

Carleton

Afifi

Turner

et al. 2017

Canadian Journal of Pain

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Background: Chronic pain is highly prevalent in the general population and may be even higher among public safety personnel (PSP; e.g., correctional officers, dispatchers, firefighters, paramedics, police). Comprehensive data on chronic pain among diverse Canadian PSP are relatively sparse. Aims: The current study was designed to provide initial estimates of chronic pain frequency and severity among Canadian PSP. Methods: Estimates of chronic pain frequency and severity (i.e., intensity and duration) at different bodily locations were derived from self-reported data collected through an online survey. Participants included 5093 PSP (32.5% women) grouped into six categories (i.e., call center operators/dispatchers, correctional officers, firefighters, municipal/provincial police, paramedics, Royal Canadian Mounted Police [RCMP]). Results: Substantial proportions of participants reported chronic pain, with estimates ranging from 35.3% to 45.4% across the diverse PSP categories. Across PSP categories, chronic lower back pain was the most prevalent. For some pain locations, firefighters and municipal/provincial police reported lower prevalence, but paramedics reported lower intensity, and duration, than some other PSP groups. Over 50% of RCMP and paramedics reporting chronic pain indicated that the pain was associated with an injury related to active duty. Conclusions: Discrepancies emerged across PSP members with respect to prevalence, location, and severity. The current data suggest that additional resources and research are necessary to mitigate the development and maintenance of distressing or disabling chronic pain for Canadian PSP.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chronic pain among public safety personnel in Canada

Carleton

Afifi

Turner

et al. 2017

Canadian Journal of Pain

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“…Studies indicate that Veterans have more cardiovascular disease [12], obesity [13, 14], and musculoskeletal disorders that limit mobility [3] than non-veterans. Studies of Canadian Veterans show disability related to MSDs that is 2.6 times higher than non-veterans [15] and rates of daily chronic pain that range from 25% to 72% of the Veteran population [16, 17]. For Veterans, who make-up approximately 25% of the American population over the age of 65 [18], concerns over the nature and type of chronic health condition and the age at which these conditions first appear is an important line of inquiry.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Activity-Limiting Musculoskeletal Conditions in US Veterans Compared to Non-Veterans: Results from the 2013 National Health Interview Survey

Hinojosa

2016

PLoS ONE

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Past military service is associated with health outcomes, both positive and negative. In this study we use the 2013 National Health Interview Survey to examine the constellation of conditions referred to as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) for Veterans and non-veterans with health conditions that limit their daily activities. Multivariate logistic regression analysis reveal that Veterans are more likely to report MSDs like neck and back problems, fracture bone and joint problems as an activity limiting problem compared to non-veterans. The relationship between age and reports of activity limiting MSDs is moderated by Veteran status. Veterans in this sample report more activity limiting MSDs at younger ages compared to non-veterans and fewer MSDs at older ages. This research contributes to our understanding of potentially limiting health conditions at earlier ages for Veterans.

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“…As seen among members released from the CAF, 29 chronic pain is common among active members of the CAF (25.5%), with most respondents reporting their pain as moderate to severe. Indeed, 75% of members with chronic pain reported some impact on functioning.…”

Section: Openmentioning

confidence: 98%

Prevalence of comorbid chronic pain and mental health conditions in Canadian Armed Forces active personnel: analysis of a cross-sectional survey

Vun¹,

Turner²,

Sareen³

et al. 2018

cmajo

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C hronic pain, physical conditions and mental disorders are prevalent among military personnel. Chronic pain estimates in former members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are estimated to be about 41%. 1 Although some research has shown higher chronic pain estimates in the Canadian veteran population compared with the general population, 2 other studies have shown comparable prevalence estimates among the two populations. 3 In addition, there are no recent estimates of the prevalence of chronic pain in the serving CAF. Canadian regular force veterans have higher rates of conditions characterized by pain, including arthritis, back pain and bowel disorders compared with the general population. 4 High estimates of mental health conditions are also seen. In 2002, the Canadian Community Health Survey Canadian Forces Supplement (CCHS-CF) showed significantly higher pastyear prevalence rates of depression and panic disorder among regular members of the CAF compared with the rates seen in the general population. 5 High prevalence rates in the CAF are corroborated by more recent research, with the prevalence of general anxiety disorder being twice as high as that of the general population in 2008. 4

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Pain in Canadian Veterans: Analysis of Data from the Survey on Transition to Civilian Life

Cited by 43 publications

References 41 publications

Chronic pain among public safety personnel in Canada

Chronic pain among public safety personnel in Canada

Activity-Limiting Musculoskeletal Conditions in US Veterans Compared to Non-Veterans: Results from the 2013 National Health Interview Survey

Prevalence of comorbid chronic pain and mental health conditions in Canadian Armed Forces active personnel: analysis of a cross-sectional survey

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