Chronic pain and its correlation with quality of life in hospitalized stable patients with schizophrenia: a cross-sectional survey in Southern Sichuan, China.

The complex paradox of pain perception in schizophrenia often leads to under recognition of chronic pain in this population. To investigate the relationship between chronic pain and quality of life (QoL) in hospitalized stable patients, we conducted a cross-sectional study from November 2024 to April 2025 across three hospitals in Southern Sichuan, China, enrolling 309 patients (mean age 50.3 ± 12.9 years, 84.5% male). For data collection, we employed a self-designed questionnaire and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), the latter being a standardized measure developed by the WHO to assess QoL. Results revealed a chronic pain prevalence of 31.4% (n = 97), predominantly characterized by dull aches in the lower limbs, upper limbs, and head/face. Comparative analysis demonstrated that patients with chronic pain scored significantly lower in physical, psychological, and environmental domains of QoL, along with poorer overall QoL and health satisfaction. This study confirms the high comorbidity of chronic pain among hospitalized schizophrenia patients and its association with comprehensive QoL deterioration. Our findings emphasize the imperative for systematic screening and management of chronic pain in this population as a crucial intervention strategy to improve overall prognosis and QoL.