The Scottish Health Survey 2022: summary report

Chapter 5. Chronic Pain

In 2022, more than one-third of adults were currently being troubled by pain or discomfort that lasted three months or more, referred to as chronic pain.

• All adults: 38%

A higher proportion of women reported being in chronic pain compared with men.

• Women: 43%
• Men: 33%

The proportion of adults experiencing chronic pain increased with age.

• 16-24: 18%
• 25-34: 23%
• 35-44: 31%
• 45-54: 41%
• 55-64: 49%
• 65-74: 51%
• 75+: 55%

In 2022:

• 6% of all children had experienced chronic pain for three months or more.
• 8% of 8–15 year olds compared with
• 3% of 0-7 year olds.

The proportion of all adults experiencing chronic pain was higher in the most deprived areas than in the least deprived.

• SIMD5 least deprived: 29%
• SIMD4: 35%
• SIMD3: 36%
• SIMD2: 42%
• SIMD1 most deprived: 50%

The most common types of chronic pain experienced by all adults in 2022 were:

• Pain in arms, hands, hips, legs or feet: 25%
• Back pain: 18%
• Neck or shoulder pain: 9%

The most common types of pain experienced by all children aged 0-15 were:

• Arms, hand, hips, leg, or feet: 3%
• Stomach ache or abdominal pain: 1%
• Headaches, facial or dental pain: 1%

In 2022, of those adults experiencing chronic pain:

• Four in ten reported that it limited their life/work a lot.
• Almost two-fifths reported that it limited their life/work a little.
• The remaining adults did not experience any impact on their life/work.

Among all adults who reported chronic pain in 2022:

• The majority reported receiving support from their GP: 69%
• While almost a third reported receiving support from a physiotherapist: 31%

In 2022, most children suffering from chronic pain received support from a GP (66%) while 28% received support from a physiotherapist.

• Received support from a GP: 66%
• Received support from a physiotherapist: 28%

Adults who experienced pain/discomfort for 3 months or more in 2022 had a lower average WEMWBS mean score than those who experienced pain/discomfort for less than 3 months and those who were not experiencing any pain.

• Experiencing pain/discomfort for 3+ months: 44.1
• Experiencing pain/discomfort for less than 3 months: 48.0
• Did not report any pain/discomfort: 49.0

WEMWBS scores range from 14 to 70. Higher scores indicate greater wellbeing.