Chronic pain, associated factors, and impact on daily life: are there differences between the sexes?

This pioneering cross-sectional study in São Luís, Maranhão State, Brazil, aimed to compare men and women with chronic pain by identifying associated factors and characterizing the pain and its impact on daily life. Considering an expected prevalence of 25%, 95% confidence interval, and 3% precision, a cluster sample of 1,597 individuals was selected. The descriptive analysis showed a predominance of women, age bracket of 18 to 29 years, and brown skin color. Prevalence of chronic pain was higher in women than in men. Risk factors were analyzed with logistic regression. Increasing age was an associated risk factor for chronic pain in both sexes. In women, 12 or more years of schooling were associated with lower prevalence of chronic pain, and divorce or widowhood was associated with higher prevalence. Lower back pain and headache were the two most frequently reported sites. There was no difference between the sexes in time since onset or intensity of pain. Chronic pain had a greater impact on daily life for women and generated more feelings of sadness.