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Study
Probes Obesity and Chronic Pain Links
Newswise, July 2010 — Though it is well known obese
individuals have a high incidence of
persistent pain problems, a new study in The
Journal of Pain, published by the American
Pain Society, reports that comorbid obesity
and pain also are linked to family history
and mood disorders.
Chronic pain and obesity are rampant in the
U.S. and responsible for a significant
percentage of physician visits and health
care expenditures.
Costs related to obesity are estimated at
$118 billion a year and for chronic pain the
estimate is $70 billion in direct health
care expenses and lost productivity.
Several studies have shown that overweight
persons are at greater risk for chronic pain
mainly from increased pressure that
excessive weight places on the joints. As a
result, the most common pain disorders
related to weight are low back pain and
osteoarthritis.
A research team from the University of
California San Diego, University of
Washington and Veterans’ Affairs San Diego
Healthcare System explored how family
history and psychological factors influence
the relationship between obesity and chronic
pain.
They examined data from a large
community-based sample of twins (University
of Washington Twin Registry) to probe the
relationships between specific pain
diagnoses and symptoms and obesity,
depression, and familial factors. For the
study, 3,471 individual twins were analyzed.
Data from the research showed that
overweight or obese twins were more likely
to report physician-diagnosed low back pain,
tension or migraine headaches, fibromyalgia,
and abdominal and widespread pain.
Further, it was determined that depression
and family history play a significant role
linking high body mass index (BMI) and pain
symptoms. The authors noted their results
are consistent with findings from a previous
twins study showing a connection between low
back pain and obesity.
Regarding depression, the authors reported
that behavioral factors are implicated in
the maintenance of obesity and pain.
Depression-related inactivity and a
sedentary lifestyle can lead to obesity and
contribute to the transition from acute pain
to chronic pain. Also, depressed persons may
withdraw from physical activities,
eventually put on excess weight, and develop
low back pain or other conditions.
About the American Pain Society
Based in Glenview, Ill., the American Pain
Society (APS) is a multidisciplinary
community that brings together a diverse
group of scientists, clinicians and other
professionals to increase the knowledge of
pain and transform public policy and
clinical practice to reduce pain-related
suffering. APS was founded in 1978 with 510
charter members.
From the outset, the group was conceived as
a multidisciplinary organization. APS has
enjoyed solid growth since its early days
and today has approximately 3,200 members.
The Board of Directors includes physicians,
nurses, psychologists, basic scientists,
pharmacists, policy analysts
