Pain complaints in a sample of psychiatric inpatients

ObjectiveWe examined the prevalence of pain and pain severity in a sample of psychiatric inpatients. Currently, scant information exists about which patient groups are most affected by pain.MethodsPain was assessed in 416 psychiatric inpatients using the brief pain inventory. Patients were characterized by applying DSM-IV criteria and obtaining self-reports of adverse childhood experiences.ResultsOf psychiatric inpatients, 31.0% reported having substantial pain. Women with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) had the highest prevalence of substantial pain among all psychiatric inpatients and a significantly higher rate compared to women without PTSD (49% vs. 28%, P=.02). Pain was significantly associated with adverse childhood experiences in both men and women.ConclusionWithin a group of psychiatric inpatients, pain is associated with PTSD in women and with adverse childhood experiences in both men and women. Attention should therefore be paid towards such high-risk groups and the consequences that the pain might entail for physical and mental health.