Health - Hessians suffer particularly frequently from chronic pain
According to surveys by a health insurance company, an above-average number of people in Hesse suffer from chronic pain. The use of painkillers in the federal state has risen sharply in recent years. According to the Morbidity and Social Atlas of the Barmer Institute for Health Systems Research, 604 out of every 10,000 inhabitants suffered from pain for more than six months in 2021. This put Hesse six percent above the national average of 571 per 10,000 inhabitants.
The diagnosis rate was lowest in the Main-Taunus district with 420 per 10,000 inhabitants. The highest number of pain patients in the country was registered in the Werra-Meißner district with 861 patients per 10,000 inhabitants.
The morbidity atlas provides information on which groups suffer most frequently from chronic pain. In terms of sectors, employees aged 40 to 59 in the health and social services sector are most frequently affected (655 per 10,000 inhabitants). The lowest figures in this age group are in agriculture and forestry (220 per 10,000 inhabitants).
In terms of age groups, the frequency increases with age. Among 18- to 29-year-olds, 93 per 10,000 suffer from chronic pain, among 30- to 64-year-olds the figure is 682, and among pensioners 1515. In general, women are affected significantly more often than men. According to the atlas, the rates in Hesse are 765 and 442 per 10,000 inhabitants respectively.
Risky consumption of painkillers
"Pain can be a heavy burden in everyday life. Although painkillers offer relief, they also pose risks if patients have pre-existing conditions or are taking other medications," says Martin Till, Head of Barmer in Hesse. "I therefore recommend that all patients who regularly take painkillers check their intake thoroughly with their doctors on their own initiative and keep a complete medication plan for all medicines."
27% of men in Hesse and 31% of women - around 1.4 million people in total - were prescribed at least one prescription painkiller, according to the Barmer Drug Report 2021. People with a tumor diagnosis were excluded from this figure. 3.6 percent of men and 5.4 percent of women in the federal state - more than 214,000 people - even received long-term painkiller therapy. More than 60,000 people in this group were taking opioids.
Prescriptions are on the rise: "Between 2017 and 2022, the number of daily doses of painkillers prescribed in Hesse increased by around 41 percent. In addition, painkillers are often available over the counter," explained state head Till.
Supply gap
The German Society for Pain Medicine deplores the "underuse of pain medicine" for those affected. In the outpatient sector in particular, appropriate capacities for the care of pain patients need to be created. The introduction of a specialist in pain medicine could also help.
"Unfortunately, patients often spend years wandering through the jungle of the healthcare system before they receive help and access to specialized pain therapy," said Thomas Isenberg, Managing Director of the German Pain Society, at the recent "Day of Action against Pain". The earlier those affected are treated by a multidisciplinary team from medicine, psychology and physiotherapy, the better the prognosis for getting the pain under control again and preventing it from becoming chronic.
Barmer Drug Report Barmer Atlas Chronic Pain German Society for Pain Medicine German Pain Society
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- In the Main-Taunus district of Hesse, where the diagnosis rate for chronic pain was lowest, fewer men and women were identified as pain patients compared to other districts.
- Health insurance companies, such as Barmer, provide valuable data on the prevalence of chronic pain and painkiller usage across different demographics and regions, like Hesse and Frankfurt on the Main.
- Women in Hesse, specifically, are more frequently affected by chronic pain, with rates of 765 per 10,000 inhabitants compared to men's 442 per 10,000 inhabitants, as indicated by Barmer's Atlas of Morbidity.
- Painkillers are often used by men and women in Frankfurt on the Main and across Hesse to alleviate chronic pain, and it's essential for patients to consult their doctors about potential risks when combining them with other medications.
- The supply of pain management services in the outpatient sector in Frankfurt on the Main and other German cities might be inadequate, according to the German Society for Pain Medicine, leading to patients experiencing a prolonged wait before accessing specialized care.
Source: www.stern.de
