ABOUT PAIN
The Pain Market
The Burden Of Pain:
A national survey conducted by ABC News, USA Today and the Stanford University Medical Center reported that just under half of adults experienced pain during the two weeks prior to the survey. This translates into around 113 Million adults in the United States. Pain was reported to be acute in 44% (about 45 Million adults) and recurrent or chronic in the balance of people (68 Million). Based on these statistics, pain affects more people than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined.
Pain is a tremendous burden on society. Although unrelieved pain can result in increased outpatient visits, longer hospital stays, increased rates of re-hospitalization, and decreased ability to function, leading to lost income and insurance coverage, 42% of patients with chronic pain felt that prescription drug regimens they were on did not effectively relieve their pain, according to a survey conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates in 2003. It has been reported by the American Pain Association that health care expenses, lost work time, and reduced productivity due to pain costs around $100 Billion annually. Chronic pain has a negative impact on quality of life.
A national survey conducted by ABC News, USA Today and the Stanford University Medical Center reported that just under half of adults experienced pain during the two weeks prior to the survey. This translates into around 113 Million adults in the United States. Pain was reported to be acute in 44% (about 45 Million adults) and recurrent or chronic in the balance of people (68 Million). Based on these statistics, pain affects more people than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined.
Pain is a tremendous burden on society. Although unrelieved pain can result in increased outpatient visits, longer hospital stays, increased rates of re-hospitalization, and decreased ability to function, leading to lost income and insurance coverage, 42% of patients with chronic pain felt that prescription drug regimens they were on did not effectively relieve their pain, according to a survey conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates in 2003. It has been reported by the American Pain Association that health care expenses, lost work time, and reduced productivity due to pain costs around $100 Billion annually. Chronic pain has a negative impact on quality of life.
| Impact On Quality Of Life | % Patients |
| Have Negative Impact on Overall Enjoyment | 59% |
| Have Trouble Concentrating | 70% |
| Have Less Energy | 74% |
| Feel Depressed | 77% |
| Inability To Sleep | 86% |
| *American Pain Foundation Survey 2006 | |
Cancer Pain:
Cancer is a common cause of chronic pain. Pain occurs in 30% of all cancer patients regardless of stage of disease, and in 90% of patients in advanced stages of cancer. Not only do these patients experience persistent pain, but it has been reported that about 65% of cancer patients experience breakthrough pain as well. The breakthrough pain is both frequent and intense. According to a survey of cancer patients by Harris Interactive, 71% of patients experienced breakthrough pain at least weekly, and 53% reported a pain intensity rating of 8, 9, or 10 (0 = no pain; 10 = worst pain imaginable). Breakthrough pain has a negative impact on many spheres of cancer patient's lives.
Cancer is a common cause of chronic pain. Pain occurs in 30% of all cancer patients regardless of stage of disease, and in 90% of patients in advanced stages of cancer. Not only do these patients experience persistent pain, but it has been reported that about 65% of cancer patients experience breakthrough pain as well. The breakthrough pain is both frequent and intense. According to a survey of cancer patients by Harris Interactive, 71% of patients experienced breakthrough pain at least weekly, and 53% reported a pain intensity rating of 8, 9, or 10 (0 = no pain; 10 = worst pain imaginable). Breakthrough pain has a negative impact on many spheres of cancer patient's lives.
| Impact On Life | % Patients |
| Have Negative Impact Quality Of Life | 89% |
| Negatively Impacted Emotional Health | 82% |
| Caused Hardships | 82% |
| *Source: Harris Interactive Breakthrough Pain Survey 2009 | |
| Impact On Quality Of Life | % Patients |
| Lost Desire To Participate In Certain Activities | 83% |
| Unable To Perform Household Chores | 76% |
| Experienced Negative Impact On Relationships With Significant Others | 60% |
| *Source: Harris Interactive Breakthrough Pain Survey 2009 | |
Pain Classification:
Pain can be classified as acute or chronic.
Acute pain is protective – it alerts people of injury or illness and the need to take action. It has short duration, an identifiable cause and is relieved upon healing.
Chronic pain lasts weeks to years. It may be caused by an initial condition, such as an injury or serious infection, but the pain continues after healing of the primary cause. Some people suffer chronic pain in the absence of any prior injury or evidence of any body damage. Likewise, chronic conditions, such as cancer or arthritis often lead to ongoing pain. Chronic pain has no known useful purpose, and is very difficult to treat.
Chronic pain may have two components: Persistent pain & breakthrough pain. Persistent pain is continuous and may last all day. Breakthrough Pain is a brief flare up of severe pain that occurs even when the patient is regularly taking pain medication. Breakthrough pain can result from the causative condition or its treatment, or from certain activities, such as coughing or movement associated with dressing. It can also occur unexpectedly, without a preceding incident or clear cause.
Pain can be classified as acute or chronic.
Acute pain is protective – it alerts people of injury or illness and the need to take action. It has short duration, an identifiable cause and is relieved upon healing.
Chronic pain lasts weeks to years. It may be caused by an initial condition, such as an injury or serious infection, but the pain continues after healing of the primary cause. Some people suffer chronic pain in the absence of any prior injury or evidence of any body damage. Likewise, chronic conditions, such as cancer or arthritis often lead to ongoing pain. Chronic pain has no known useful purpose, and is very difficult to treat.
Chronic pain may have two components: Persistent pain & breakthrough pain. Persistent pain is continuous and may last all day. Breakthrough Pain is a brief flare up of severe pain that occurs even when the patient is regularly taking pain medication. Breakthrough pain can result from the causative condition or its treatment, or from certain activities, such as coughing or movement associated with dressing. It can also occur unexpectedly, without a preceding incident or clear cause.
Treatment of Pain
According to a national survey conducted by ABC News, USA Today and the Stanford University Medical Center, 60% of all patients experiencing pain and 80% of those with chronic pain use prescription drugs. This translates to about 58 Million people with chronic pain on prescription drugs, and 68 Million people overall. Nineteen percent of all patients on prescription drugs use them daily, while 44% of those with chronic pain use them daily. Based on these statistics, it is not surprising that the U.S. outpatient market for prescription pain drugs was estimated to be $13.2 Billion in 2006 (Agency For Healthcare Research & Quality). The total U.S. market for Opioids, which are typically used for moderate-to-severe pain, was $3 Billion in 2009 (IMS data).
Even at this level of prescription drug utilization, chronic pain is frequently inadequately treated, leading to enormous social cost in the form of lost productivity, needless suffering, and excessive healthcare expenditures, according to the American Pain Society. Impediments to the use of opioids include concerns about addiction, respiratory depression and other side effects, tolerance, diversion, and fear of regulatory action. Opiod treatments thus have only partially addressed the demand for moderate to severe pain experienced by cancer patients and other patients with chronic pain. A demand remains for non-opiod drugs with analgesic effects for use in delaying the onset of opiod tolerance, enhancing opiod activity, or minimizing side effects.
According to a national survey conducted by ABC News, USA Today and the Stanford University Medical Center, 60% of all patients experiencing pain and 80% of those with chronic pain use prescription drugs. This translates to about 58 Million people with chronic pain on prescription drugs, and 68 Million people overall. Nineteen percent of all patients on prescription drugs use them daily, while 44% of those with chronic pain use them daily. Based on these statistics, it is not surprising that the U.S. outpatient market for prescription pain drugs was estimated to be $13.2 Billion in 2006 (Agency For Healthcare Research & Quality). The total U.S. market for Opioids, which are typically used for moderate-to-severe pain, was $3 Billion in 2009 (IMS data).
Even at this level of prescription drug utilization, chronic pain is frequently inadequately treated, leading to enormous social cost in the form of lost productivity, needless suffering, and excessive healthcare expenditures, according to the American Pain Society. Impediments to the use of opioids include concerns about addiction, respiratory depression and other side effects, tolerance, diversion, and fear of regulatory action. Opiod treatments thus have only partially addressed the demand for moderate to severe pain experienced by cancer patients and other patients with chronic pain. A demand remains for non-opiod drugs with analgesic effects for use in delaying the onset of opiod tolerance, enhancing opiod activity, or minimizing side effects.
