title: A comparison of chronic pain between an urban and rural population.
abstract: Residents of rural and urban areas of North Dakota were surveyed regarding chronic pain. Participants (N = 188) responded to questions pertaining to the prevalence and characteristics of chronic pain, quality of life, and social support. Overall, 58% of the participants reported chronic pain, with arthritis as the leading cause, the lower back as the main location, and oral medication as the most common treatment. Individuals from rural and urban locations differed significantly in the rate of chronic pain reported. Participants with chronic pain reported a significantly lower quality of life than individuals without chronic pain.
authors.affiliation: North Dakota State University, Department of Psychology, P.O. Box 5075, Fargo, ND 58105-5075, USA.
authors.forename: Pamela K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Hoffman
authors.forename: Brian P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Meier
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Council
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009658:North Dakota / Q000453:epidemiology; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*