An exploratory identification of biological markers of chronic musculoskeletal pain in the low back, neck, and shoulders

Abstract

Objectives This study was an in-depth exploration of unique data from a nationally representative sample of adults living in the United States to identify biomarkers associated with musculoskeletal pain. Methods We performed secondary analyses of 2003–2004 NHANES data. After a first screening of 187 markers, analyses of 31 biomarkers were conducted on participants aged ≥20 years identified in all counties using the 2000 Census Bureau data (n = 4,742). To assess the association of each biomarker with each pain outcome (acute, subacute and chronic low back, neck, and shoulder pain), analyses were carried out using multivariable logistic regression with adjustments for sex, age and body mass index. Biomarkers were considered as continuous variables and categorized at the median of their distributions. Results Pain at any site for ≥24 hours during the past month was reported by 1,214 participants. Of these, 779 mentioned that the pain had lasted for ≥3 months (“chronic pain”). α-carotene, ascorbic acid, β-carotene, mercury and total protein had a statistically significant, inverse association with ≥2 chronic pain sites. Acrylamide, alkaline phosphatase, cadmium, cotinine, glycidamide, homocysteine, retinol, triglycerides and white blood cell count were positively associated with ≥2 chronic pain sites. Few biological markers were associated with acute and subacute pain. Conclusions This study identified some biomarkers that were strongly and consistently associated with musculoskeletal pain. These results raise new hypotheses and could have tremendous implications for advancing knowledge in the field. Research on musculoskeletal pain needs to put more effort on the biological dimension of the biopsychosocial model of pain.

Association between HDL-C and chronic pain: data from the NHANES database 2003–2004

“…Other studies examining specific types of chronic pain and HDL-C levels have yielded different conclusions. For example, studies on women with fibromyalgia ( 14 ) and shoulder and neck pain ( 23 ) found no association with HDL-C, while studies on chronic low back pain showed a negative correlation with HDL-C ( 17 , 23 ). These discrepancies may be attributed to the different pathogenic mechanisms underlying different types of chronic pain.…”

Musculoskeletal pain among desk-based officials of Bangladesh: Association with mental health and individual factors

“…Musculoskeletal (MS) disorders are injuries or pains in the muscles, bones, nerves, joints, ligaments, and blood vessels as well as one of the major causes of the disease burden [ 3 ]. Pain in the neck, shoulders and low back are highly correlated and often occurs together known as MS pain [ 4 ] and this pain may result from repetitive motions, forces, rapid work pace, repeated or prolonged activity and vibration [ 3 ]. For instance, employees who spend long periods of time at their desks during the course of their work day are more likely to develop MS pain symptoms [ 3 , 5 , 6 ].…”