Pain complaints in a sample of psychiatric inpatients

Abstract

Objective: We examined the prevalence of pain and pain severity in a sample of psychiatric inpatients. Currently, scant information exists about which patient groups are most affected by pain.

Methods: Pain was assessed in 416 psychiatric inpatients using the brief pain inventory. Patients were characterized by applying DSM-IV criteria and obtaining self-reports of adverse childhood experiences.

Results: Of psychiatric inpatients, 31.0% reported having substantial pain. Women with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) had the highest prevalence of substantial pain among all psychiatric inpatients and a significantly higher rate compared to women without PTSD (49% vs. 28%, P=.02). Pain was significantly associated with adverse childhood experiences in both men and women.

Conclusion: Within a group of psychiatric inpatients, pain is associated with PTSD in women and with adverse childhood experiences in both men and women. Attention should therefore be paid towards such high-risk groups and the consequences that the pain might entail for physical and mental health.