Bronwen Grocott1, Jordana L Sommer2, Renée El-Gabalawy3. 1. Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, University of Manitoba, Canada; Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Canada. Electronic address: grocottb@myumanitoba.ca. 2. Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, University of Manitoba, Canada; Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Canada. Electronic address: sommerj@myumanitoba.ca. 3. Department of Psychology, Faculty of Arts, University of Manitoba, Canada; Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Canada; Department of Clinical Health Psychology, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Canada; Department of Psychiatry, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Canada. Electronic address: renee.el-gabalawy@umanitoba.ca.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This study examined the prevalence of suicidality and associations with pain characteristics (i.e., presence of usual pain/discomfort, pain intensity) among those with chronic pain conditions (i.e., arthritis, migraine, back pain). METHODS: We analyzed data from the 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey-Mental Health supplement (N = 25,113), including self-reported pain characteristics and suicidality. Weighted cross-tabulations described suicidality prevalence estimates according to pain characteristics among each chronic pain condition. Multiple logistic regressions evaluated associations between the presence of usual pain/discomfort and suicidality across pain conditions. Post-hoc analyses examined pain intensity in significant associations. RESULTS: Across pain conditions, rates of suicidality were greater in those usually in pain and with more severe pain, compared to mild or moderate pain. After adjustment, usual pain/discomfort was associated with increased odds of suicide ideation (AOR = 1.79, 95% CI [1.19-2.68], p < .05) and attempts (AOR = 2.49, 95% CI [1.25-4.98], p < .05) among those with migraines, and plans (AOR = 1.55, 95% CI [1.04-2.31], p < .05) in those with back pain (reference = absence of usual pain). Usual pain/discomfort was not associated with suicidality in those with arthritis after adjusting for sociodemographics and psychiatric comorbidity. Post-hoc analyses showed that severe pain was associated with elevated odds of suicide ideation (AOR = 2.19, 95% CI [1.07-4.48], p < .05) in migraines and plans (AOR = 3.11, 95% CI [1.42-6.80], p < .01) in back pain (reference = mild pain). CONCLUSION: Our findings may facilitate a more targeted approach to screening for suicidality among chronic pain populations.
OBJECTIVES: This study examined the prevalence of suicidality and associations with pain characteristics (i.e., presence of usual pain/discomfort, pain intensity) among those with chronic pain conditions (i.e., arthritis, migraine, back pain). METHODS: We analyzed data from the 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey-Mental Health supplement (N = 25,113), including self-reported pain characteristics and suicidality. Weighted cross-tabulations described suicidality prevalence estimates according to pain characteristics among each chronic pain condition. Multiple logistic regressions evaluated associations between the presence of usual pain/discomfort and suicidality across pain conditions. Post-hoc analyses examined pain intensity in significant associations. RESULTS: Across pain conditions, rates of suicidality were greater in those usually in pain and with more severe pain, compared to mild or moderate pain. After adjustment, usual pain/discomfort was associated with increased odds of suicide ideation (AOR = 1.79, 95% CI [1.19-2.68], p < .05) and attempts (AOR = 2.49, 95% CI [1.25-4.98], p < .05) among those with migraines, and plans (AOR = 1.55, 95% CI [1.04-2.31], p < .05) in those with back pain (reference = absence of usual pain). Usual pain/discomfort was not associated with suicidality in those with arthritis after adjusting for sociodemographics and psychiatric comorbidity. Post-hoc analyses showed that severe pain was associated with elevated odds of suicide ideation (AOR = 2.19, 95% CI [1.07-4.48], p < .05) in migraines and plans (AOR = 3.11, 95% CI [1.42-6.80], p < .01) in back pain (reference = mild pain). CONCLUSION: Our findings may facilitate a more targeted approach to screening for suicidality among chronic pain populations.