A Pain Registry for Maine

The Maine Pain Registry, Pain Registry for ME 2, is a comprehensive, statewide chronic pain registry to advance epidemiological research and ultimately enhance healthcare practices in pain management throughout the state of Maine. The registry places a special focus on the influence of social determinants of health (SDOH) — the non-medical factors, such as racial/ethnic groups, education, income, employment, and housing environment — on chronic pain and its management, and is the first pain registry in the state.

In Maine, there is little data about the demographics of patients suffering from chronic pain and the societal burden it causes. It is estimated that approximately 30% of Mainers experience chronic pain, which peaks at 50–55 years of age and increases significantly with age. More females experience chronic pain than males at all age groups and across all counties. The unique characteristics of the Maine population — with more individuals of advanced age and a lack of population diversity — and the large rural sections of Maine with limited transportation access may present special barriers to pain care in Maine. 

This registry was originally established through the initial funding provided by the Northern New England Clinical and Translation Research Network (NNE-CTR) pilot program NIGMS [U54GM115516 (PI, Rosen)]. Pain Registry for ME was reviewed and approved by the MaineHealth Institutional Review Board and Pain Registry for ME2 was reviewed and approved by the UNE Institutional Review Board.

Maine Pain Registry By The Numbers

A line graph showing enrollment in the pain registry: 109 in February 2024, 132 in June 2024, 148 in September 2024, and 170 in March 2025

Of the total participants, 32.1% are aged 65 or older, 69.7% of respondents are women, and 67% list their gender as female.

Get Involved

To join the chronic pain effort in Maine, contact us at painregistryforme@une.edu to help in any way, including:

  • Help with recruitment
  • Collaborate on the study (additional IRB approval is needed)
  • Provide additional funding

Participate in the Registry

Anyone who lives in Maine, is at least 18 years of age, and is experiencing persistent or recurrent pain (pain experienced most days or every day) with or without an official diagnosis of “chronic pain” can join the registry.

Presentations, References, and Resources

Presentations

  • Pain Registry Special Interest Group symposium at the 2024 IASP congress, August 5, 2024, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • 2024 Maine Public Health Association Conference, October 2, 2024, Portland, ME

References

Additional Resources