People with low or unstable incomes may face higher odds of a rare, severe pain disease
In South Korea, adults with the lowest incomes were more likely to develop a rare chronic pain condition than the richest. Those in the lowest income group had about 3.7 times the risk over 10 years.
Why it matters
This suggests money worries and financial ups and downs may be linked to serious long-term pain, not just stress. It is a warning sign that poverty could affect health in hidden ways. But this study only shows a link, not proof that low income causes the pain, so the real reason is still unclear.
Who's behind it: Sejong Jin and colleagues, Korea University and collaborators, South Korea.
Summary by the Lemma AI · how we grade