Veteran Pain Research Ignores Sex and Gender

A critical review of two decades of research on chronic pain management for Canadian veterans has revealed a significant gap: the impact of sex and gender on treatment effectiveness has been largely ignored. This omission means that clinical recommendations may not be universally applicable, failing to account for fundamental biological and gender-based differences among veterans.

Chronic pain affects Canadian veterans at disproportionately high rates, with studies indicating 40% of males and 50% of females experience it, compared to 20% nationally. In response, research centers have been established to address this issue, initiating studies that examine pain management treatments.

However, an analysis of 21 studies on opioid and rehabilitation treatments conducted between January 2000 and February 2021 found that none adequately measured or reported on the role of sex and gender. This exclusion perpetuates a gap in care, as these factors significantly influence pain symptoms, treatment access, and health outcomes.

Experts emphasize that women have historically been underrepresented in health research, leading to generalized findings. The research center has since updated its grant review process to ensure researchers explicitly address how sex and gender will be considered in their studies, aligning with existing federal requirements for health research funding.