Global study on pain prevalence and gender disparities

A large-scale epidemiological study published in ‘Nature Medicine’ has analyzed data from over 6.1 million individuals across 118 countries collected between 1990 and 2025 to map global pain prevalence.

The research identifies a significant gender disparity, noting that women report higher levels of pain than men across all 11 anatomical areas studied, including the head, face, neck, chest, back, abdomen, hips, and knees. This gap is particularly pronounced in areas such as headaches, facial pain, and abdominal discomfort. Experts suggest this multi-causal phenomenon may be driven by conditions like endometriosis, migraines, and rheumatoid arthritis, alongside sociocultural factors and the cumulative stress of work and caregiving roles.

Regarding age, the study indicates that pain levels do not increase linearly. While prevalence rises from approximately 30% at age five to 70% in those over 100, the sharpest increase for both sexes occurs before the age of 55. Researchers suggest that early adulthood, specifically between ages 20 and 40, is a critical period for intervention. Potential contributors to this spike include physically demanding employment, sleep difficulties, psychological stress, and cumulative injuries.

Musculoskeletal patterns vary; neck and shoulder pain often peak in middle age, whereas pain in the back, hips, and knees tends to increase steadily, peaking around age 75 or later. Additionally, findings highlight that in regions with a lower Human Development Index (HDI), the prevalence of bodily pain in later life is significantly higher. Socioeconomic and lifestyle factors, including smoking, obesity, and low household income, were linked to approximately 18.3% of the total global pain load.