A strong association between non-musculoskeletal symptoms and musculoskeletal pain symptoms: results from a population study

Tschudi-Madsen, Hedda; Kjeldsberg, Mona; Natvig, Bent; Ihlebæk, Camilla; Dalen, Ingvild; Kamaleri, Yusman; Straand, Jørúnd; Bruusgaard, Dag

doi:10.1186/1471-2474-12-285

Cited by 44 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 41 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Previous studies have also found that high symptom reporting was associated with an increased number of reported bodily pain sites,21 as well as greater use of healthcare and increased mortality, even after controlling for relevant confounders 22. Interestingly, a recent study in general practice patients also found that as symptom reports increased, so did the patients’ belief that they were suffering from an unexplained condition such as amalgam poisoning, electromagnetic sensitivity or chronic fatigue syndrome 23…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

How common are symptoms? Evidence from a New Zealand national telephone survey

et al. 2014

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ObjectiveTo assess the frequency of symptoms in a general population sample over the previous week and the associations between symptom reporting and demographic factors, medical visits and medication use.DesignA representative general population sample (n=1000) was recruited using random digit dialling. Participants were asked whether they had experienced any of a list of 46 symptoms in the previous 7 days and if so, whether the symptom was mild, moderate or severe. Demographic data and information on medical visits and medication use were also collected.ResultsSymptom reporting was very common. The median number of symptoms reported by participants in the previous week was 5 with only 10.6% of participants reporting no symptoms. The five most common symptoms in the previous 7 days were: back pain (38%), fatigue (36%), headache (35%), runny or stuffy nose (34%) and joint pain (34%). The five symptoms rated highest in terms of severity were sexual difficulties, vomiting, tremor, suicidal thoughts and sleep problems. Symptom reporting was significantly positively associated with medical visits in the previous year and current medication taking. Women reported a significantly greater number of symptoms. We found no significant association between age or household size and symptom reporting.ConclusionsThis population-based study found that symptoms are more commonly experienced in the general population than previously estimated and are strongly associated with healthcare visits. Appreciation of the high prevalence of symptoms may help normalise the experience of symptom reports among the general population.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

How common are symptoms? Evidence from a New Zealand national telephone survey

et al. 2014

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Furthermore, some individuals might have a tendency to report any symptoms, whereas others not report similar symptoms [39]. However, we have collected no information on the personality traits which could influence reporting patterns of symptoms.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of multisite musculoskeletal symptoms: a French cross-sectional working population-based study

Parot-Schinkel

Descatha

et al. 2012

BMC Musculoskelet Disord

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundThe musculoskeletal disorders in working population represent one of the most worrying work-related health issues at the present time and although the very great majority of available data on the subject focus on musculoskeletal disorders defined by anatomical site, a growing number of studies indicate the low prevalence of disorders strictly confined to a specific anatomical site. The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence and characteristics of multisite musculoskeletal symptoms (multisite MS) in a large French working population.MethodsThis study was performed on surveillance data of the cross-sectional survey (2002–2005) conducted by a network of occupational physicians in the working population of the Loire Valley region (from 20 to 59 years old). Data concerning MS were collected in the waiting room of the occupational physicians by means of the self-administrated standardized NORDIC questionnaire.ResultsThe study population comprised 3,710 workers (2,162 men (58%) and 1,548 women (42%)) with a mean age of 38.4 years (standard deviation: 10.4 years). The prevalence of MS during the past 12 months was 83.8% with 95% confidence interval of [82.8-85.3] for men and 83.9% [82.0-85.7] for women. The prevalence of subacute MS (lasting at least 30 days) over the past 12 months was 32.8% [30.9-34.8] for men and 37.3% [34.9-39.7] for women. Two-thirds of workers reported MS in more than one anatomical site and about 20% reported MS lasting at least 30 days in more than one anatomical site. The anatomical sites most frequently associated with other MS were the upper back, hip, elbow and neck. The majority of these multisite MS were widespread, involving at least two of the three anatomical regions (upper limb, axial region and lower limb).ConclusionsThe frequency and extent of multisite MS reported by workers are considerable. Further research must be conducted in this field in order to provide a better understanding of the characteristics and determinants of these multisite MS.

show abstract

“…1 However, with the exception of small, isolated societies, 2,3 studies of co-occurrence of cLBP and other symptoms have been conducted in affluent countries of the West, notably Norway. 4-8 The population of China is 1.4 billion, which is larger than the combined populations of affluent (“high income”) countries of the West. 9 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Constellation of Chronic Low Back Pain and Other Subjective Symptoms

Volinn

Yang

Chen

et al. 2016

SPINE

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Study Design This was a pilot, cross-sectional study. Its site was West China Hospital in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. Objective An objective was to explore whether, in China, LBP characteristically is one symptom among co-occurring subjective symptoms. More basic objectives were to test a supplemented list of symptoms and to reconfigure findings from the literature on co-occurrence of symptoms so that they pertain specifically to cLBP. The governing metaphor was a constellation of symptoms in which cLBP is located. Summary of Background Data With the exception of small, isolated societies, previous studies of co-occurrence of symptoms were conducted in the affluent West. Although China's population is larger than the combined populations of affluent countries of the West, research on co-occurring symptoms has been neglected in China. Unknown is whether results from studies of co-occurring symptoms in the affluent West may be extended to China. Methods A survey with the supplemented symptom list was cross-culturally adapted into Chinese and administered to cLBP patients (N=72) and normal controls (N=102). Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the effects of covariates (age, gender, education) on symptom reporting. Results cLBP patients reported higher median numbers of symptoms than normal controls, including total symptoms (9 vs. 3), musculoskeletal symptoms (4 vs. 1), and non-musculoskeletal symptoms (6 vs. 2.5); differences between cLBP and normal controls were highly significant (p's <0.001). Covariates had little effect on symptom reporting. Conclusions cLBP characteristically was one symptom in a constellation of symptoms. This finding came from one research site in China. Nevertheless, consistency between studies is notable, with findings from the affluent West supporting the finding from the Chinese site. The tendency to concentrate on a discrete clinical entity, cLBP itself, may obscure the constellation of symptoms. The more expansive view of cLBP has implications for clinical practice and research.

show abstract

A strong association between non-musculoskeletal symptoms and musculoskeletal pain symptoms: results from a population study

Cited by 44 publications

References 41 publications

How common are symptoms? Evidence from a New Zealand national telephone survey

How common are symptoms? Evidence from a New Zealand national telephone survey

Prevalence of multisite musculoskeletal symptoms: a French cross-sectional working population-based study

The Constellation of Chronic Low Back Pain and Other Subjective Symptoms

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About