Experiencing acute pain is an evolutionarily valuable phenomenon in triggering a healing process in response to the damage incurred and protecting from future harm, through the process of learning.

In contrast, chronic pain, typically lasting longer than three months, serves no recognised biological function. It is associated with longer term negative health outcomes including potential physical disability and poor mental health.

Significant burden

Unfortunately, perhaps in part due to its commonality, particularly in elderly populations, the experience of chronic pain is often normalised and simply perceived as a natural part of an ageing process.  

As there are no objective tests for establishing the causes of most forms of chronic pain – physicians are nearly entirely reliant on patients’ description of their symptoms in terms of location, intensity and characterising descriptors defining the experience in order to make a diagnosis.

For the patient, understanding that their chronic pain is not normal but is unique to them is invaluable. Characterising their pain using clear language is an essential step. Patients should also define the exact extent to which it is affecting their life, including loss of sleep, changes in mood through to missing work or social events.

Together this holistic picture will give the doctor the best opportunity to design a treatment plan specific for each individual’s type of pain.

Working together 

On establishing a correct diagnosis, it may be necessary to work with a multi-disciplinary team of healthcare professionals to optimise outcomes. Professionals and patients using a common language that all parties understand helps to build empathy and trust. Additionally, it’s important physicians manage patient expectations around the level of pain control that can be achieved, and support lifestyle changes around weight management and increasing activity levels that may also be necessary.

Above all, it’s really important that the patient takes their pain seriously, and  is fully engaged in the healthcare process to maximise their opportunity to realise real health gains and lead as full and productive a life as possible.

To treat chronic pain effectively it is important that each of the three elements that contribute to pain are considered by the patient and physician alike. 

The biology underlying the patient’s pain can trigger negative changes in a patient’s sleep patterns, which can lead to psychological challenges (negative mood/depression) that can worsen the pain experience. 

Possessing good coping strategies can help to counter the above challenges. Patients will also probably need the support of friends and family members. Many older patients may lack this support framework and social isolation is a common problem. 

Everyone should feel comfortable and capable in communicating their pain. Please speak to your healthcare professional for advice and support. 

This Content was provided by Viatris UK Healthcare Ltd

PAGE WRITTEN, SPONSORED AND APPROVED BY VIATRIS UK HEALTHCARE LTD
NON-2022-8620 June 2022

 Reference: 1. Content adapted from: The Lancet: Chronic pain: an update on burden, best practices, and new advances. Steven P Cohen, Lene Vase, William M Hooten 

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One in four persons in the UK and one in five in the EU are living with chronic pain. What impact will the digitisation of health services and an EU data space have for people in pain?

Finding timely and accurate diagnosis is a challenge for many patients with most suffering for years before diagnosis and treatment. One surprising issue is that many people wait almost a year before seeking medical help with their pain.

An optimal use of digitalisation is the availability and reliability of accurate information on pain and when to seek help. Literacy, health literacy and digital literacy must be addressed. It’s crucial that basic and non-judgemental language is used at all touchpoints in addition to the healthcare setting i.e. online and within the community.

Digital health records, patient registries and data quality

The adoption of borderless digital health records empowers people to control their own health data. The WHO’s International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11 2022) includes coding for primary chronic pain for the first time. It is imperative each country implements ICD-11 and companion International Classification of Functioning, Disability & Health (ICF) to inform accurate diagnosis, treatment and capturing morbidity data internationally.

While large datasets are important for research and planning, pain is subjective and personal. The diversity of individuals, their pain and their needs must not be lost in datasets and statistics. Individualised interventions show the best outcomes. Therefore, it is tantamount that patients are engaged at each stage of development and rollout of digital interventions and policy.

The adoption of borderless digital health records empowers people to control their own health data.

Learnings of COVID-19 adaptations

Fortunately, many digital developments were implemented or fast tracked in response to the pandemic. However, how that looks at national level is inconsistent, as digital infrastructures vary greatly.

When surveyed, 49% of patients received telephone consultations or information during 2020/2021. Despite 40% preferring a video consultation only 10% had access to this solution. Overall, 27% prefer in-person interactions and another 27% said they had zero access to digital solutions. Each health system is facing challenges of backlogs and the impending tsunami of treating pain in long COVID, will digitisation truly mitigate this?

The digital world enables us to connect globally with others and feel less isolated especially while dealing with a health condition like chronic pain. Most of us will experience an episode of severe pain at some point in our lives. It is in all our interests to invest and support each other in adapting to digital changes.

References:

[1] PAE 2021 Diagnosis and treatment survey https://pae-eu.eu/surveys/
[2] PAE 2019/20 Pain and Covid-19 survey https://pae-eu.eu/surveys/
[3] PAE 2020 e-health and m-health survey https://pae-eu.eu/surveys/
[4] Eccleston, C., Wells, C., & Morlion, B. (2017). European Pain Management. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, ISBN: 9780198785750 Available at: http://oxfordmedicine.com/view/10.1093/med/9780198785750.001.0001/med- 9780198785750-chapter-1

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