Key result
Baseline chronic pain linked to up to ~109% greater risk of incident cardiometabolic multimorbidity.
Why the study?
While chronic pain is associated with single cardiometabolic diseases, less is known about its association with the co-occurrence and progression of cardiometabolic multimorbidity.
Does chronic pain increase the risk of incidence and progression of cardiometabolic multimorbidity in middle-aged and older adults?
Cohort (n=59,134)
Yes
Does chronic pain increase the risk of incidence and progression of cardiometabolic multimorbidity in middle-aged and older adults?
Effect estimate: OR range 1.57-2.09
Chronic pain is a significant risk factor for the incidence and progression of cardiometabolic multimorbidity in middle-aged and older adults, suggesting its management should be integrated into cardiometabolic prevention strategies.
Chronic pain signals higher cardiometabolic multimorbidity risk; hypothesis-generating and should not yet change prevention strategies.
Introduction: Chronic pain is associated with single cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs). Less is known about the association of chronic pain with the co-occurrence of multiple CMDs, known as cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM). Objectives: This study aims to examine the association between chronic pain and incidence of CMM and if it existed, to what extent chronic pain relates to the progression of specific CMD-related multimorbidity (MM). Methods: We pooled individual-level data of 59,134 participants from 4 cohort studies across 18 countries between 2010 and 2020. Participants aged 45 years or older, free of CMDs (diabetes, heart diseases, and stroke), and with self-reported chronic pain status at baseline were included. Multinomial logistic regression was performed on the association of chronic pain with incident CMM and the progression of specific CMD-related MM. Results: One-third (21,204) of participants reported chronic pain at baseline. After 8 to 9 years, 1344 (2.3%) developed CMM. Chronic pain was associated with the onset of each CMD (odds ratio [OR] range 1.12-1.37) and CMM combinations (OR range 1.57-2.09). It is also linked with the increased odds of more CMDs (1, 2, and 3) during the follow-up. For example, OR increased from 1.31 for individuals with one CMD, to 1.57 for those with 2 CMDs, to 2.09 for those with 3 CMDs. Chronic pain was also associated with developing all CMD-related MM (OR range 1.26-1.88). Compared with those with diabetes only, participants with chronic pain were more likely to progress to diabetes and heart diseases, as well as diabetes, heart diseases, and stroke. Conclusion: Chronic pain is associated with incidence and progression of CMM, whose management should be considered in primary and secondary prevention of CMM among middle-aged and older populations.
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You et al. (2024) conducted a cohort in Cardiometabolic multimorbidity (n=59,134). Chronic pain vs. No chronic pain was evaluated on Incident cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM) (OR range 1.57-2.09). Baseline chronic pain was associated with an increased risk of developing cardiometabolic multimorbidity combinations (OR range 1.57-2.09) over 8 to 9 years.
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