A new study by the Pain Observatory, published in the journal Scientific Reports, examines the close relationship between chronic pain, employment status, and quality of life among the Spanish population.
Based on data from the 2022 Pain Barometer in Spain, the research reveals that 28.6% of people suffering from chronic pain required sick leave during the previous year due to their condition. Furthermore, 32.3% of those affected were forced to leave their jobs, while 17.3% had to change positions because of their health issues. The most common conditions among those requiring sick leave were lower back pain (66.2%) and muscle contractures (60.3%).
The study highlights that the impact of chronic pain extends far beyond physical health. Through a mediation analysis, the researchers found that the need for sick leave is not only directly associated with a poorer quality of life, but that this effect is further intensified by greater pain severity and the presence of anxiety and depression symptoms.
The findings underscore that chronic pain is a major public health issue in Spain, with an overall prevalence of 25.9%. The researchers stress that improving the quality of life of these patients and facilitating their return to work requires a multidimensional approach—one that addresses not only physical pain but also emotional well-being and workers’ mental health.
Understanding these mediation mechanisms will help develop more effective and personalized interventions aimed at breaking the cycle of pain and psychological distress that affects the lives of millions of people in Spain.
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