title: Pain in Canadian Veterans: analysis of data from the Survey on Transition to Civilian Life.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little is known about the prevalence of chronic pain among Veterans outside the United States.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe the prevalence of chronic pain and associated sociodemographic, health behaviour, employment⁄income, disability, and physical and mental health factors in Canadian Veterans.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 2010 Survey on Transition to Civilian Life included a nationally representative sample of 3154 Canadian Armed Forces Regular Force Veterans released from service between 1998 and 2007. Data from a telephone survey of Veterans were linked with Department of National Defence and Veterans Affairs Canada administrative databases. Pain was defined as constant⁄reoccurring pain (chronic pain) and as moderate/severe pain interference with activities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-one percent of the population experienced constant chronic pain and 23% experienced intermittent chronic pain. Twenty-five percent reported pain interference. Needing help with tasks of daily living, back problems, arthritis, gastrointestinal conditions and age ≥ 30 years were independently associated with chronic pain. Needing help with tasks of daily living, back problems, arthritis, mental health conditions, age ≥ 30 years, gastrointestinal conditions, low social support and noncommissioned member rank were associated with pain interference.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings provide evidence for agencies and those supporting the well-being of Veterans, and inform longitudinal studies to better understand the determinants and life course effects of chronic pain in military Veterans.
authors.forename: Elizabeth G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: VanDenKerkhof
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: VanTil
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sweet
authors.forename: Wilma M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Hopman
authors.forename: Meg E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Carley
authors.forename: Kerry
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sudom
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D013223:Statistics as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014728:Veterans / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult