Status of patients with chronic pain 13 years after treatment in a pain management center.

Abstract

This study describes the current vital, health, and employment status of 249 patients with chronic pain who were treated in a pain management center at the Mayo Clinic, on average, 13 years ago. These patients do not have an increased risk of mortality; their death rate is similar to that of the US white population. However, 68% of the patients reported worse-than-average or an abnormal level of bodily pain, with increased morbidity in their physical health, physical functioning, and social functioning. Emotional and mental health were claimed to be adequate. About half of the patients reported being gainfully employed.