• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.142-150
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• 2017

Background: There have been few studies about pain using a big data. The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of pain, and trends of pain associated with chronic diseases and personal out-of-pocket medical expenditures over time. Methods: Subjects were 58,151 individuals, using the Korea Health Panel from 2009 to 2013. Chi-square and multinomial logistic regression were conducted to identify the prevalence and odds ratios (ORs) of pain. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to find the trend over these 5 years. Results: Prevalence of mild and severe pain was 28.1% and 1.7% respectively. The ORs of mild and severe pain were 1.6 and 1.4 in females compared with males. From 2009 to 2013, numbers of chronic diseases producing mild pain were 2.1, 2.4, 2.8, 2.9, and 3.1 and those producing severe pain were 3.0, 3.4, 3.9, 4.2, and 4.4, respectively. After applying the average South Korean inflation rate by year over 5 years, the annual, personal out-of-pocket medical expenditures (unit: ￦1,000) for mild pain were 322, 349, 379, 420, and 461, and those for severe pain were 331, 399, 504, 546, and 569, respectively (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: The pain prevalence was 29.8%. The numbers of chronic diseases and the personal out-of-pocket medical expenditures revealed increasing trends annually, especially in those with pain. Therefore, to eliminate and alleviate the pain, there needs to be further study for developing a systemic approach.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.352-358
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• 2020

Background: Korean society is afflicted with rapid aging. Aging is a risk factor for pain, and pain can reduce patients' quality of life. Thus, adequate management and monitoring of changing trends accompanying the demographic shift are highly valuable. However, this study was conducted because no studies have investigated the recent changes in the prevalence of pain. Methods: The extent of the prevalence of pain was determined by questions related to quality of life based on the data derived from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey (KNHNS) from 2005 to 2016. The annual frequencies of the pain group and severe pain group were calculated using the survey questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine possible differences in prevalence by year. Results: The prevalence of pain in all populations was 30.6% in 2005 and 18.9% in 2016. The average prevalence from 2005 to 2016 was 21.9%. A declining trend occurred over time with an odds ratio of 0.929 per year (95% CI: 0.921-0.938). The prevalence of severe pain was 2.35% in 2005 and 1.88% in 2016. Likewise, a decrease was observed over time, with an odds ratio of 0.920 per year at 95% CI 0.901-0.939. The decline in age-/sex-stratified analysis also showed a statistically significant trend in all groups. Conclusions: The prevalence of pain in Korean society, based on the KNHNS, has declined since 2005. Such a trend was observed in all ages and sexs, and was most significant in the elderly.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.230-241
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• 2023

Background: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of chronic pain and its contributing factors among teenagers aged 12-21 years in Shiraz, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on adolescents aged 12-21 years. Demographic variables of the adolescents and their parents as well as the pain characteristics were assessed. Descriptive statistics, multinomial logistic regression, and regression models were used to describe the characteristics of the pain and its predictive factors. Results: The prevalence of chronic pain was 23.7%. The results revealed no significant difference between the male and female participants regarding the pain characteristics, except for the home medications used for pain relief. The results of a chi-square test showed that the mother's pain, education, and occupation, and the father's education were associated significantly with chronic pain in adolescents (P < 0.05). Multinomial logistic regression also showed the mother's history of pain played a significant role in the incidence of adolescents' chronic pain. Conclusions: The prevalence of chronic pain was relatively high in these adolescents. The results also provided basic and essential information about the contributing factors in this area. However, consideration of factors such as anxiety, depression, school problems, sleep, and physical activity are suggested in future longitudinal studies.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.161-167
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• 2012

Background: Neck and shoulder pain (NSP) is fairly common in adolescents, which is associated with a high prevalence of NSP found during adulthood as well; therefore, its significance during adolescence should not be underestimated. We surveyed the prevalence of recurrent NSP, lifestyle, and risk factors in Korean high school students, and examined the influence of recurrent NSP on the quality of life. Methods: Nine hundred thirty one male students (16-19 years old) from two academic high schools in Seoul were included in this study. The survey consisted of a questionnaire to assess the prevalence of recurrent NSP, with questions regarding having an occurrence more than once a week, characteristics of NSP, activity and lifestyle of the students, and the risk factors for recurrent NSP. A 36-item Short Form questionnaire was also examined. Results: We found that 44.3% of the high school students surveyed had recurrent NSP (more than once a week) and the overall prevalence of NSP was 79.1%. The average sitting time was $10.2{\pm}2.7$ h/day. 59.0% did not sit straight, 14.7% used assisting devices during reading, and 11.9% answered that they stretched regularly. Found from their self assessed health, frequent fatigue and frequent depressed mood presented significant associations with the higher prevalence of recurrent NSP. Conclusions: Korean high school students had a high prevalence of recurrent NSP. Clinical attention is needed for the prevention and resolution of recurrent NSP found in high school students.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.72-81
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• 2021

Background: In the literature, there have been debates as to whether smartphone use has negative effects on physical and mental health. The present study investigated the extent to which smartphone addiction impacts on musculoskeletal pain prevalence among university students. Methods: The questionnaire consisted of three sections: demographic information, the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS), and the modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. Results: A total of 249 participants were included in this cross-sectional study. The body parts that were reported with highest prevalence of musculoskeletal pain were the upper back (70.3%), neck (65.9%), and wrists/hands (68.7%). The SAS scores were correlated with duration of smartphone use on a typical day (P = 0.001), duration of owning a smartphone (P = 0.027), and musculoskeletal pain prevalence in the neck (P = 0.001), wrists/hands (P = 0.001), shoulders (P = 0.025), and upper back (P = 0.023). The SAS score was significantly associated with prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in the neck (odd ratio [OR], 1.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98-1.10; P = 0.002), wrists/hands (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.97-1.09; P = 0.001), and upper back (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 0.98-1.11; P = 0.033). Conclusions: The findings indicated that the upper back, neck, and wrists/hands have a higher prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among smartphone users, particularly those with a smartphone addiction. Smartphone addiction scores were correlated with duration of smartphone use on a typical day, duration of owning smartphone, and musculoskeletal pain prevalence in the neck, wrists/hands, shoulders, and upper back.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.325-339
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• 2022

Objective: This study was to perform to identify the distribution characteristics and related factors of work-related low back pain among manufacturing workers in Korea. Methods: We analyzed the third(2011) through sixth(2020) Korean Working Conditions Survey. This study examined changes in the prevalence of work-related low back pain among manufacturing workers and related factors, including demographic characteristics and working conditions. Results: The prevalence of work-related low back pain showed a general tendency to increase during the study periods except for the 5th wave. The prevalence of work-related low back pain was higher in women than in men. The prevalence increased with increasing age and decreased with higher educational attainment. This trend was observed in all survey waves. The prevalence ratios for work-related low back pain according to working conditions varied over the survey period. In general, workers with manual jobs, long working hours, and exposure to tired or painful postures showed relatively higher prevalence ratios than did their counterparts. Providing Information on health and safety, perception that work affects health, and experience of presenteeism were identified as influencing factors for work-related low back pain. Although the working environment is improving, work-related back pain is on the rise. A multifaceted study on risk factors for work-related low back pain is needed. Conclusion: Work-related low back pain is a significant factor affecting the working population's quality of life. The prevalence of work-related low back pain showed a tendency to increase during the study periods. A multifaceted study on risk factors for work-related low back pain is needed.

• Asian Spine Journal
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.1117-1122
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• 2018

Study Design: Prospective study. Purpose: To assess the prevalence of periodontoid calcification and its associations with acute cervical pain. Overview of Literature: Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) deposition disease is a common rheumatological disorder that occurs especially in elderly patients. Although CPPD crystals induce acute arthritis, these crystals are not usually symptomatic. Calcification surrounding the odontoid process (periodontoid calcification) has been reported to induce inflammation, resulting in acute neck pain. This disease is called crowned dens syndrome. Whether calcification induces inflammation or whether the crystals are symptomatic remains unclear. Methods: The prevalence of periodontoid calcification at the atlas transverse ligament was examined by computed tomography of the upper cervical spine in patients suspected of brain disease but no cervical pain (control group, n=296), patients with pseudogout of the peripheral joints but no cervical pain (arthritis group, n=41), and patients with acute neck pain (neck pain group, n=22). Next, the correlation between the prevalence of periodontoid calcification and symptoms was analyzed. Results: In the control group, 40 patients (13.5%) showed periodontoid calcification with no significant difference in the prevalence with gender. The prevalence of calcification increased significantly with age (p=0.002). In the arthritis group, 26 patients (63.4%) reported periodontoid calcification. In the neck pain group, 14 patients (63.6%) reported periodontoid calcification. Multiple logistic regression analysis by age and group revealed that higher age, inclusion in the arthritis group, and inclusion in the neck pain group significantly affected the prevalence of calcification. Conclusions: Our results cumulatively suggest that periodontoid calcification is an aging-related reaction and that calcification per se does not always cause neck pain. Periodontoid calcification was observed more frequently in patients with pseudogout of the peripheral joints and in those with acute neck pain than in asymptomatic control patients.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.100-117
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• 1996

The purpose of the survey was to find out the prevalence rate and related factors for low back pain of nurses and to develop educational program for prevention of the low back pain. The subjects of the survey were 593 nurses of general hospitals in Tae-gu City. The survey was conducted from June 10, 1994 to October 3, 1994. The questionnaire included 34 question items concerning general characteristics, factors related to low back pain, physical nursing activities, and characteristics of low back pain. The results were as follows : 1. Among 593 of subjects, the prevalence rate of low back pain showed 62.1%. 2. In relation of health related life activities and low back pain prevalence, self-reported health state was highly significant(P=.000). 3. In relation of work environmental factors and low back pain prevalence, job satisfaction (P=.026), job stress(P=.020), and workload(P=.002) were significant. 4. In relation of physical nursing activities and low back pain prevalence, bending (P=.000), trunk twisting(P=.003), stretching(P=.006), and pulling and pushing(P=.046) were significant. 5. Physical nursing activities inducing back stress was varicant according to wards. The results of this study pointed out that the subjects' low back pain prevalence was related to the work-related physiologic and psychologic factors. Therefore, for the effective prevention of low back pain, both practicing the body mechanics and raising the morale of the nurses are needed in educational program.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.53-61
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• 2015

Background: There are few previous studies investigating the relationship of dental fear and anxiety (DFA) with dental pain among children and adolescents. To address this issue, we examined the literature published between November 1873 and May 2015 to evaluate the prevalence of DFA and dental pain among children and adolescents, and their relationships with age and sex. Methods: We performed a broad search of the PubMed database using 3 combinations of the search terms dental fear, anxiety, and dental pain and prevalence. A large proportion of the identified articles could not be used for the review due to inadequate end points or measures, or because of poor study design. Thirty-two papers of acceptable quality were identified and reviewed. Results: We found that the prevalence of DFA was estimated to be 10%, with a decrease in prevalence with age. It was more frequently seen in girls, and was related to dental pain. Conclusions: We concluded that dental fear, anxiety, and pain are common, and several psychological factors are associated with their development. In order to better understand these relationships, further clinical evaluations and studies are required.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.17-30
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• 2002

BACKGROUND: Back pain is a popular disease in general population as well as in workers. School students handle heavy bag and keep awkward postures during class long time. However, the prevalence of back pain among students and the risk factors associated with back pain are not well known. METHODS: In this study, we assess the frequency of risk factors for back pain among 2,717 high school students. From April 2001 to May 2001, using a self-reported questionnaire, we collected data on occurrence of back pain and potential risk factors for back pain. RESULTS: Fifteen percent of high school students reported having daily back pain for a week or more during the past 12 months. Female students had a higher prevalence of back pain than males(OR=2.22, 95% CI 1.69-2.91). Using a multiple logistic regression model, we found six factors associated with back pain for females; alcohol(OR=1.75, 95% CI 1.26-2.45), depression(OR=1.75, 95% CI 1.84-2.28), poor physical health(OR=2.57, 95% CI 1.84-8.58), obesity(OR=0.29, 95% CI 0.12-0.68), exercise(OR=l.50, 95% CI=1.07-2.16), and good performance(OR=l.50, 95% CI 1.05-2.18). Only alcohol, however, associated with back pain for males(OR=1.70, 95% CI 1.05-2.77) CONCLUSIONS: High school students had a relatively high prevalence of back pain. Students with alcohol consumption had the higher risk for back pain.