Background & Aims

Denmark is one of the first countries to monitor chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) in the general population. It is an essential task to support public health planning and allocation of resources to promote improved care, innovation, and research in pain management. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of CNCP (2000-2023) and long-term opioid use in the Danish population (2000-2021).

Methods

Data stem from the Danish Health and Morbidity Survey waves between 2000-2023. In all waves, adult Danes ((?16 y.) were randomly selected to complete a self-administered questionnaire. After exclusion of individuals with cancer history, samples included 10,089 individuals in 2000, 5,292 in 2005, 14,330 in 2010, 13,429 in 2013, 13,050 in 2017, 10,384 in 2021, and 9,303 in 2023. CNCP was defined as pain lasting ?6 months. Survey data were linked on individual level with data from the Danish National Prescription Registry. Long-term opioid use was defined as at least one prescription/month for six months in the previous year; prescription data available for analysis until 2021. Calibration weighting was applied to reduce potential non-response bias.

Results

In all waves, majority were women (51.9%-56.0%) and between 25-64 years old (56.9%-72.7%). CNCP prevalence increased from 19.5% in 2000 to 27.8% in 2017 but declined in 2021 (25.3%). In 2023 CNCP prevalence increased to 28.9%. Among those with CNCP, the prevalence of long-term opioid use was stable around 6-7% between 2000 and 2017 but dropped to 4.4% in 2021.

Conclusions

In 2021, the prevalence of CNCP dipped for the first time in the study period, but it increased again in 2023. A decrease in the prevalence of long-term opioid use among individuals with CNCP was observed in 2021.

References

Ekholm O, Diasso PDK, Davidsen M, Kurita GP, Sjøgren P. Increasing prevalence of chronic non-cancer pain in Denmark from 2000 to 2017: A population-based survey. Eur J Pain. 2022 Mar;26(3):624-633.

This study is supported by Novo Nordisk Foundation.

Presenting Author

Suzanne Herling

Poster Authors

Geana Kurita

BNSc, MNSc, PhD

Rigshospitalet; University of Copenhagen

Lead Author

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Suzanne Herling

PhD

Rigshospitalet; University of Copenhagen (DK)

Lead Author

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Camilla Lykke

PhD

Rigshospitalet; The North Zealand Hospital (DK)

Lead Author

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Svetlana Skurtveit

PhD

Public Health Institute (NO)

Lead Author

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Aleksi Hamina

PhD

Niuvanniemi Hospital (FI)

Lead Author

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Per Sjøgren

DMSc

Rigshospitalet (DK)

Lead Author

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Ola Ekholm

Senior Advisor

National Institute of Public Health; University of Southern Denmark (DK)

Lead Author

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Topics

  • Epidemiology