Bonus Episode: Episode 1 - The Gender Gap: Exploring differences in Chronic Pain

EMJ Podcast: Insights For Healthcare Professionals

Chronic pain, particularly in the context of rheumatic diseases, represents one of the most pervasive global health challenges, affecting over one-quarter of the world's population. In recent decades, the influence of gender on pain perception and management has emerged as a significant focus of both scientific inquiry and clinical practice.

Epidemiological data consistently demonstrate that women are disproportionately affected by chronic pain syndromes, including musculoskeletal pain. Compared to men, women tend to exhibit a lower pain threshold and heightened pain sensitivity. These differences are not only quantitative but also qualitative, with phenomena such as allodynia and secondary hyperalgesia appearing more pronounced in female patients. Moreover, psychosocial factors, such as individual pain history and levels of anxiety, may further modulate pain experiences in women. These observations align with the biopsychosocial model of pain, which posits that biological, psychological, and social dimensions collectively shape the pain experience