Chronic musculoskeletal pain among elderly individuals in a rural area of West Bengal: A mixed-method study

Abstract

Introduction: The high prevalence among elderly individuals and potential adverse impact on their overall life quality make chronic musculoskeletal pain a significant public health concern. Chronic musculoskeletal pain is an important cause of self-medication, which must be addressed to avoid various side effects and improve elderly health. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of chronic musculoskeletal pain and its associated factors among individuals (age ≥60 years) in rural West Bengal and explore their perspectives and perceived barriers regarding pain and its management. Methods: This mixed-method study was conducted in rural West Bengal from December 2021 to June 2022. The quantitative strand was conducted by interviewing 255 elderly participants (age ≥60 years) using a structured questionnaire. The qualitative strand was conducted via in-depth interviews of 10 patients with chronic pain. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 16, and chronic pain-related factors were analyzed using logistic regression models. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Results: Among the participants, 56.8% reported chronic musculoskeletal pain. The most frequently affected site was the knee joint. Comorbidity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=7.47, 95% confidence interval [CI]=3.2–17.5), age (aOR=5.16, 95% CI=2.2–13.5), depression (aOR=2.96, 95% CI=1.2–6.7) and over-the-counter drug usage (aOR=2.51, 95% CI=1.1–6.4) were significantly associated with chronic pain. Analgesic dependency, lack of motivation to adopt lifestyle modifications, lack of knowledge on analgesic side effects were considered pain management barriers. Conclusion: Managing comorbidities, providing mental support, generating awareness of analgesic side effects, strengthening healthcare facilities should be prioritized for holistic chronic musculoskeletal pain management.

For optimal treatment of musculoskeletal pain among elderly individuals, clarification of its aetiology is essential

“…I read with interest the article by Sengupta et al on a mixed-method study of 255 elderly patients with musculoskeletal pain (MSP) evaluated using a structured questionnaire. 1 The study showed that 57% of the enrolled patients reported MSP, with the knee joint being the most commonly affected site. Multivariate analysis revealed that comorbidity, age, depression and drug use were associated with MSP It was concluded that the treatment of MSP should focus on managing comorbidities, providing mental support and informing about the side effects of over-the-counter analgesics.…”

“…Another limitation of the study is that MSP was not defined. 1 It is crucial to determine whether the authors meant pain due to an orthopaedic, a neurological or a rheumatological problem. The definition of chronic MSP was also unclear.…”

Holistic management of chronic musculoskeletal pain among elderly patients: A primary care approach

“…Notably, the objectives of our study were to assess the burden of chronic musculoskeletal pain (MSP) among the elderly population and delineate patients’ perspectives towards the treatment and management of MSP using a mixed-method approach. 2 The qualitative component of the study was conducted to determine how elderly patients experiencing chronic MSP feel and think about the treatment available to them and how they approach their pain management.…”

Identifying the risk of exercises, recommended by an artificial intelligence for patients with musculoskeletal disorders

“…Exercises have been shown to have several positive effects, such as pain reduction 9 , improved quality of life 10 and well-being 11 . People in rural regions are equally affected but have limited access to adequate treatment 12,13 .One way to offer exercises for the treatment of MSD is via a mobile application that showed positive results regarding pain reduction and improved quality of life in neck pain 14,15 and LBP 16,17 . Mobile applications can provide access to appropriate exercise for a large number of people, especially in rural areas [18][19][20] .…”