Household catastrophic health expenditure related to pain in Korea

Background The data related to pain and catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) needed to be further explored. This study aims to understand the relationship between pain and CHE. Methods Using cross-sectional analysis of 4-year data (2015–2018) from the Korea Health Panel, the prevalence of CHE and adjusted odds ratio (AOR) by pain type were confirmed. Results Among participants (n = 46,597), the prevalence of pain and severe pain were 24.2% and 1.1%, respectively. The use of medical services in emergency rooms, hospitalizations, and outpatients increased in the order of pain-free, pain, and severe pain (P < 0.001). Prevalence of household CHE was 3.3% vs. 11.1% vs. 25.9%, (P < 0.001). The AOR of CHE was 1.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4–1.7) for pain and 3.1 (95% CI, 2.5–3.9) for severe pain. Household capacity to pay per year was lower and lower in the order of pain-free, pain, and severe pain ($25,094 vs. $17,965 vs. $14,056, P < 0.001). Also, the household out-of-pocket expenditure per year was higher and higher in the order of pain-free, pain, and severe pain ($1,649, $1,870, $2,331, P < 0.001). Conclusions It can be inferred that pain is one of the mechanisms of poverty. Positivist healthcare policies for the prevention and management of pain should be sought.

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