A Cross-Sectional Study of the Characteristics Associated With Chronic Pain Documentation on the Problem List.

Abstract: Chronic pain is often elusive because of its specific diagnosis and complex presentation, making it challenging for healthcare providers to develop safe and effective treatment plans. Experts recommend a multifaceted approach to managing chronic pain that requires interdisciplinary communication and coordination. Studies have found that patients with a complete problem list receive better follow-up care. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with chronic pain documentation in the problem list. This study included 126 clinics and 12,803 patients 18 years or older with a chronic pain diagnosis within 6 months before or during the study period. The findings revealed that 46.4% of the participants were older than 60 years, 68.3% were female, and 52.1% had chronic pain documented on their problem list. Chi-square tests revealed significant differences in demographics between those who did and did not have chronic pain documented on their problem list, with 55.2% of individuals younger than 60 years having chronic pain documented on their problem list, 55.0% of female patients, 60.3% of Black non-Hispanic people, and 64.8% of migraine sufferers. Logistic regression analysis revealed that age, sex, race/ethnicity, diagnosis type, and opioid prescriptions were significant predictors of chronic pain documentation on the problem list.