Pain and 'hassles' in the United States: findings of the Nuprin pain report.

A national survey of pain in the United States has been conducted, using a sample of 1254 persons 18 years of age or more, statistically constructed so as to permit projections to be made to the entire adult population of 174 million with a predicted accuracy of +/- 2-3%. Pain prevalence and severity, and its impact on work and other activities were obtained and correlated with demographic variables. This paper reports the portion of the study examining the association of pain with stress, daily hassles, measures of health locus of control, and various health habits. There was a very strong association between stress and pain and hassles and pain. The greater the stress and hassles, the greater the incidence, frequency and severity of all pains reported. Those with high internal health locus of control are more likely to have healthy behavior, are less likely to have all kinds of pain, and have less severe pain. Stress was voluntarily mentioned by respondents as a major cause of pain in headaches, backaches, stomach pains, and menstrual pains, but not for muscle, joint or dental pains.