The association between obesity and chronic pain.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
An evaluation of a local specialist weight management service and the impact of chronic pain on weight management outcomes.
IRAS ID
153291
Contact name
Cormac Ryan
Contact email
Research summary
Obesity is a major public health concern. A quarter of English adults are obese. It is important that current obesity management services are fit for purpose and inline with current guidelines. Strategies to enhance the effectiveness of weight loss interventions are of national importance. A growing body of literature suggests an association between obesity and chronic pain and the presence of chronic pain may impede weight loss in those undergoing weight management. However, the existing evidence is sparse and of low quality. A better understanding of the complex relationship between chronic pain and obesity is required before interventions can be developed which effectively manage weight loss in those with co-existing chronic pain. Chronic pain is a common condition that affects approximately 20% of the general population. It is estimated that almost half of obese individuals have co-existing moderate/severe pain. The reduction of pain in these groups is an important clinical target. There is early evidence to suggest that weight loss management programmes can lead to reduced pain in obese individuals with chronic pain. However the evidence base is weak. If reducing weight in these patients had a secondary effect of reducing pain weight management might be an important interventional approach to reduce pain in obese individuals.
Study aims:
1.To evaluate the South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trusts’ specialist weight management service (SWMS) against the nationwide standard evaluation framework (http://www.noo.org.uk/core/frameworks).
2.To investigate if obese individuals with chronic pain undertaking a weight management intervention have poorer weight management outcomes than those without chronic pain.
3.To investigate if a change in weight outcomes following a weight management programme is associated with an improvement in pain outcomes.
4.To explore how patient characteristics such as sleep quality might interact with and impact upon chronic pain and weight loss in this patient group.REC name
Wales REC 7
REC reference
14/WA/1050
Date of REC Opinion
2 Jul 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion