This questionnaire gathers more information about experiences of chronic pain.
On this page
Why we’re doing this questionnaire
Chronic pain affects around one in five people and current treatments work for very few people.
Researchers need to find out more about chronic pain to develop more effective treatments.
UK Biobank is in a unique position to collect data that will help researchers to investigate how chronic pain changes over time.
About the questionnaire
We launched this questionnaire in 2024. It was closely modelled on our previous chronic pain questionnaire and repeated many of the questions we asked in 2019. By gathering information over two time periods, researchers will be able to look at changes that occur over time, whether pain can get worse or better, and investigate triggers, risk factors and potential causes.
However, you do not have to have completed the first pain questionnaire in order to complete this questionnaire – your answers will still provide valuable information to researchers.
We worked with experts in the field to create this questionnaire.
About the questionnaire contributors
Questionnaire contributors and institution at the time of their contribution
- Professor David Bennett, University of Oxford, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences
- Professor Zameel Cader, University of Oxford, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences
- Professor Gary Macfarlane, University of Aberdeen, Epidemiology Group, School of Medicine
- Professor Blair Smith, University of Dundee, Division of Population Health Sciences
- Professor Danielle van der Windt, Keele University
How to complete the questionnaire
If you’re a UK Biobank participant and we have an email address for you, you should receive an invitation to complete the questionnaire within the participant website.
If you have not shared your email address with UK Biobank, or if you missed the email, you can still complete the questionnaire by logging in to the participant website using your participant identification number (PID), which you can find on all our correspondence with you, and other personal details.
Please ensure your contact details are up to date so we can let know you when other new questionnaires are available for you to complete.
As always with UK Biobank questionnaires, your responses are confidential and will only be used for health-related research in the public interest.
Help with completing the questionnaire
Questions you may have about the Pain 2 Questionnaire
General
I do not have any issues with pain, so do I need to complete this questionnaire at all?
Yes please. Our current understanding of the risk factors for pain is poor and understanding what makes people more or less likely to feel pain can only be achieved by asking people who are not experiencing pain as well as those who are not.
Medical conditions module
I have not been told by a doctor that I have any of the medical conditions listed (question MC1A-MC1N) but I think that I do have one or more of them, so how should I answer those questions?
Please only respond yes if a doctor has confirmed you have the condition.
Your pain module
Why do you ask whether my pain is present in both my feet (question LOC3KII) but do not ask about whether it is present in both of my other limbs (such as hands, legs, etc.)?
By asking about pain in both feet researchers can understand if there is a symmetrical pattern to discomfort, which can sometimes suggest systemic issues rather than isolated injuries or conditions.
Technical help
Read our frequently asked questions about technical issues you may encounter with the questionnaires.
Guidance for participants experiencing technical difficulties filling in an online questionnaire.
You can also call our Participant Resource Centre on 0800 0 276 276 free of charge, Monday to Friday 09:00 to 17:00, or send us an email at [email protected].
Sources of support
Further information about specific issues raised in this questionnaire is available from:
- The British Pain Society. Their website includes a page providing information about useful organisations according to type of pain.
- PainUK. An alliance of charities providing support for people in pain.
- Pain Concern. A charity that provides information, support and a telephone helpline for those who suffer from chronic pain.
- NHS Live Well. Their website provides advice and support to help with pain.
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