Association of chronic pain with incidence and progression of cardiometabolic multimorbidity in middle-aged and older populations: a multicohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic pain is associated with single cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs). Less is known about the association of chronic pain with the co-occurrence of multiple CMDs, known as cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM).

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to examine the association between chronic pain and incidence of CMM and if it existed, to what extent chronic pain relates to the progression of specific CMD-related multimorbidity (MM).

METHODS: We pooled individual-level data of 59,134 participants from 4 cohort studies across 18 countries between 2010 and 2020. Participants aged 45 years or older, free of CMDs (diabetes, heart diseases, and stroke), and with self-reported chronic pain status at baseline were included. Multinomial logistic regression was performed on the association of chronic pain with incident CMM and the progression of specific CMD-related MM.

RESULTS: One-third (21,204) of participants reported chronic pain at baseline. After 8 to 9 years, 1344 (2.3%) developed CMM. Chronic pain was associated with the onset of each CMD (odds ratio [OR] range 1.12-1.37) and CMM combinations (OR range 1.57-2.09). It is also linked with the increased odds of more CMDs (1, 2, and 3) during the follow-up. For example, OR increased from 1.31 for individuals with one CMD, to 1.57 for those with 2 CMDs, to 2.09 for those with 3 CMDs. Chronic pain was also associated with developing all CMD-related MM (OR range 1.26-1.88). Compared with those with diabetes only, participants with chronic pain were more likely to progress to diabetes and heart diseases, as well as diabetes, heart diseases, and stroke.

CONCLUSION: Chronic pain is associated with incidence and progression of CMM, whose management should be considered in primary and secondary prevention of CMM among middle-aged and older populations.