Assessing Chronic Pain Among Adults Diagnosed with Diabetes Residing in Rural Appalachia.

Abstract

Introduction: Appalachian populations have some of the highest rates of overdose and comorbidity, all of which are considered risk factors for and contributors to chronic pain.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the associations of comorbidity, disability (physical limitations), and depression with chronic pain among a community-based sample of Appalachian adults living with diabetes.

Methods: This study used baseline data to conduct a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data (n=356). Data included sociodemographic, disability (physical limitations), chronic pain, and depression measures. These data were collected and analyzed from 2017-2019. Multiple logistic regression was used to investigate the association between comorbidity, disability, depression, and chronic pain.

Results: Participants were predominantly non Hispanic white (98.0%), women (64.6%), and had a mean age of 64.2 years. Comorbidity (p=.044), physical limitations (pp.

Implications: Chronic pain affects physical and psychosocial health among those diagnosed with diabetes who live in rural Appalachian communities. Alleviating chronic pain could have a synergistic benefit to healthy functioning.