McGill study finds headaches and stomach pain peak earlier in life than expected
Analysis of 6.1 million self-reported pain records from 118 countries reveals sharpest increases before age 55, while women consistently report higher pain levels than men across nearly every age.
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Researchers at McGill University studied pain patterns across the human lifespan and discovered that common pain types peak earlier than medical expectations, creating a new global benchmark similar to pediatric growth charts.
The study analyzed self-reported pain data from more than 6.1 million people across 118 countries and territories. Headaches and stomach pain both peak earlier in life than expected, while back pain, hip pain, and knee pain grow progressively with age. The sharpest rise in overall pain occurred before age 55.
At nearly every age, women reported feeling more pain than men. People in less-industrialized countries reported higher levels of pain than those in other countries — a finding that contrasts with some global estimates suggesting the opposite pattern.
The benchmark McGill created allows researchers to compare pain levels against global averages for people of the same age and sex, similar to how pediatricians use growth charts to track children's development. The tool could help clinicians identify when pain becomes abnormal for a given population.
The facts
How many people did McGill University study for this pain research?
McGill University analyzed self-reported pain data from more than 6.1 million people across 118 countries and territories.
At what age do headaches and stomach pain peak?
Headaches and stomach pain both peak earlier in life than expected, with the sharpest overall rise in pain occurring before age 55.
Do men and women report pain levels differently?
At nearly every age, women reported feeling more pain than men.
What did McGill create from this research?
McGill created a benchmark that allows researchers to compare pain levels against global averages for people of the same age and sex, similar to pediatric growth charts used to track children's development.
