Pain & New Zealand
Specific Challenges for Pain Medicine in Rotorua and Taupo
Epidemiology of Pain
- The 2001 census counted 103,000 people living in the Lakes DHB region. The total population of Lakes is projected to increase by 5.3% during the next decade.
- 20% of the general population do suffer from chronic pain (Rotorua and Taupo : 22,000 patients); this is approximately the same number as there are persons under 15.
- Each pain patient interacts with at least 1 to 2 significant others (parents / partner / etc.). Therefore chronic pain directly affects 40,000 to 60,000 people in our area.
- At least 1% of the population suffers from neuropathic pain (Rotorua and Taupo : 1,100 patients).
- The over 65-age group is projected to increase more rapidly in Rotorua and Taupo than in New Zealand as a whole (29.9% vs. 23.4%). This group places a higher than average demand on health resources, including Chronic Pain Management Services.
- The proportion of Maori at 31.6% (Rotorua 35.6%, Taupo 29.3%) is more than twice the national average (15%) and this proportion is projected to increase in the next 10 years. The population of Pacific Islanders in the region is 3.7% and is projected to increase. This group also has the demographic characteristics of lower socio-economic status and higher disease index.
- There is no published data on prevalence of chronic pain amongst Maori. However due to a higher prevalence of co-morbidities likely to result in pain (e.g. Diabetes Mellitus and painful diabetic neuropathy, cancer and resultant pain) it is highly likely that pain in Maori is indeed under-recognised and under-treated.
- Chronic Pain after surgery is common and ranges from 10 and 80 % depending on surgery performed. 10 % of pain patient referrals to large pain centers are solely due to chronic pain after surgery; in 21 % of all referrals surgery has played a significant role.
- 11 to 15% of patients with cancer-related pain will benefit from specialised pain management services.
References
- Blyth FM, March LM, Brnabic AJM, Jorm LR, Williamson M, Cousins MJ. Chronic pain in Australia: a prevalence study. Pain 2001;89:12734.[Medline]
- Crombie IK, Croft PR, Linton SJ, Le Resche L, Von Korff M, eds. Epidemiology of Pain. Seattle: IASP Press, 1999.
- Harstall C, Ospina M. How prevalent is chronic pain? Pain: Clin Updates 2003;11:14.
- Verhaak PF, Kerssens JJ, Dekker J, Sorbi MJ, Bensing JM. Prevalence of chronic benign pain disorder among adults: a review of the literature. Pain 1998;77:2319.[Medline]
- Won A, Lapane K, Gambassi G, Bernabei R, Mor V, Lipsitz LA. Correlates and management of non-malignant pain in the nursing home. J Am Geriatr Soc 1999;47:93642.[Medline]