UTA Study Finds Major Gap in Pain Diagnosis, Identifying Millions of Americans With “Undiagnosed Pain”
A University of Texas at Arlington study found that at least 21 million U.S. adults experience pain severe enough to disrupt daily life but have no corresponding medical diagnosis in their health records. The researchers introduced the concept of “undiagnosed pain,” highlighting a significant disconnect between patients’ self-reported symptoms and formal clinical documentation. The findings suggest major gaps in pain recognition and diagnosis across the U.S. healthcare system, with implications for treatment delays, healthcare costs, and patient quality of life. 
UTA Study Finds Major Gap in Pain Diagnosis, Identifying Millions of Americans With “Undiagnosed Pain”