Hidden battle beyond the battlefield: Unmasking chronic pain among military personnel

Abstract: This commentary discusses the findings and implications of a recent study by Bader et al. (2023) on changes in pain-related physical, mental, and social health outcomes among military personnel. Chronic pain remains a significant issue in the military, leading to elevated risks of disability, decreased readiness, and heightened suicide rates compared to civilian populations. The study utilized data from the Pain Assessment Screening Tool and Outcomes Registry (PASTOR) and analyzed patterns in pain intensity, pain interference, physical function, and other related health outcomes among military personnel. Findings indicated improvements in several domains, including pain intensity and social satisfaction, yet depression remained unchanged. Notably, correlations between pain interference, physical function, and sleep impairment highlight the value of multi-dimensional outcome assessments beyond pain intensity alone. Despite these insights, the study lacked information on the pain treatments administered, signaling a need for future research to include treatment data and explore the effects of multimodal therapies. This study underscores the unique nature of chronic pain in the military and the necessity of tailored pain assessment and intervention strategies for this population.

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