The Scottish Health Survey 2022: summary report

Key findings from the Scottish Health Survey 2022 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.
A wheel chart showing the proportion of adults with chronic pain who reported it to limit their life or work or not.  The graph shows 40% reported if limited their life/work a lot, 22% a little and 38% not at all.

 

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.

Contact

Email: ScottishHealthSurvey@gov.scot

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