People who struggle with food insecurity or loneliness may face a tougher road to recovery after surgery, according to new research presented at the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) 2025 annual meeting in San Antonio.
Researchers from the University of California, San Diego found that patients who lacked access to nutritious food or social support were significantly more likely to develop chronic pain, pain lasting three months or longer, after major procedures. The findings suggest that recovery depends not only on medical care, but also on the circumstances shaping daily life.
“People who lack basic needs such as food and social connection may face a higher risk of long-term pain after surgery,” said Dr. Louie Rodriguez, physician research scholar at UC San Diego. “But patients with strong support systems — whether from family, friends or community resources — are better protected.”
The researchers analyzed data from more than 8,000 surgical patients in a National Institutes of Health database who had no history of chronic pain before their procedure. They found that food insecurity was the strongest predictor, increasing the odds of developing chronic pain by 83% compared with patients who had reliable access to food.
Loneliness and low social support also played a role. For each increase in loneliness reported on a four-point scale, the likelihood of developing chronic pain rose by 2%. Each increase in social support lowered that risk by nearly 4%.
Limited access to nutritious food can slow wound healing and raise inflammation, while social isolation can heighten stress responses that amplify pain signals. Together, these factors may make pain more likely to linger after the body has physically healed.
“(Patients) should feel empowered to discuss any concerns about food insecurity or a lack of social support with their doctors and nurses, who can help connect them to resources like food assistance programs or support groups, which may make recovery faster and lower their risk of ongoing pain,” said Dr. Rodney Grabriel, associate professor of anesthesiology at UC San Diego.
The researchers say screening for social and nutritional factors before surgery could help hospitals personalize pain management and improve long-term outcomes, especially for vulnerable patients.
While the findings have not yet undergone peer review, they add to growing evidence that diet quality and social connection play powerful roles in both physical and emotional recovery.
This research was conducted at the University of California, San Diego and supported in part by the National Institutes of Health.