Pain in Ireland – new research at NUI Galway examines the extent of the problem

Researchers at the Centre for Pain Research based at NUI, Galway are carrying out a major new study looking at the extent and impact of chronic pain in Ireland. The study, funded by the Health Research Board and the HSE, will be the first large scale project of its kind to examine how common chronic pain is within Ireland and what impact it is having on people’s lives.

Dr. Brian McGuire & Ms Miriam Raftery, from the Centre for Pain Research and School of Psychology, NUIG will coordinate the two year study. As well as looking at the prevalence and impact of chronic pain, the study also aims to explore the costs incurred by people with varying degrees of chronic pain.

Miriam Raftery, researcher with the study says: “Relatively little research has been reported internationally on the economic costs of chronic pain in the wider community. What is often looked at, particularly in relation to the cost of chronic pain, are people attending pain clinics. While this is relevant, these people tend to be the most severely disabled by pain. There are many people in the community suffering with chronic pain who bear significant costs to attend doctors’ appointments and undergo expensive medical procedures. It is important that we advocate for these people”.

The measurement of psychological impact is also an important aspect of the study. Dr Brian McGuire, Lead Investigator, says: “Psychological conditions such as depression and anxiety are common in chronic pain and add a significant burden to pain sufferers, their families, their health care providers and to the state in terms of increased health care costs. It is important to understand the psychological factors related to disability and quality of life. This will not only help us identify individuals at risk of poor outcome but also subgroups likely to benefit from specific interventions.” The study will also be one of the first to follow up participants at one year to examine how persistent chronic pain is as well as examine what factors may be important in leading some acute pain to become chronic.

The postal survey is currently being carried out in collaboration with GP practices across the country and will add significantly to our understanding of this common and severely disabling problem.

Dr McGuire and Ms Raftery are joined on the research team by Professor Andrew Murphy from the Dept of General Practice, NUI, Galway; Professor Charles Normand, Dept of Health & Policy Management, TCD and Dr. Davida DeLaHarpe, Assistant National Director of Population Health at the HSE.

More information is available from Miriam Raftery. Tel: (091) 495830 E-mail: miriam.raftery@nuigalway.ie