Is musculoskeletal pain more common now than 40 years ago?: two population-based cross-sectional studies

Abstract

Objective. To test the hypothesis that the prevalence of specific musculoskeletal pain symptoms has increased over time in the northwest region of England. To meet this objective we have examined the difference in the prevalence of low back, shoulder and widespread pain between the 1950s and today using historical data collected by the Arthritis Research Campaign (arc). Methods. Two cross-sectional surveys conducted over 40 yr apart in the northwest region of England. The status of two regional pain sites and widespread pain was determined using interview and questionnaire responses, for the earlier and later studies respectively. Subjects were classified positively if they reported low back pain, shoulder pain or widespread pain on the day of the survey. Rates were standardized to the Greater Manchester population.Results. There were large differences in the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain between the two surveys. For all three symptoms examined prevalence increased from 2-to 4-fold between the two surveys. In both surveys low back pain was more common in women. Shoulder and widespread pain was less prevalent in women than in men in the earlier survey but by the time of the later survey women reported more pain at these sites. Conclusions. The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain is much higher than that reported over 40 yr ago. The change in prevalence is unlikely to be entirely due to the study design; other possible explanations such as the increased reporting or awareness of these symptoms is discussed.

Increased low back pain prevalence in females than in males after menopause age: evidences based on synthetic literature review

“…It could be that the actual prevalence has not changed but the reporting has; or it could be that the questions used to assess the prevalence have changed; or LBP prevalence really increased due to life style changes of the population. Harkness et al showed there were significant differences in the prevalence of pain increasing from 2-to 4-fold between two surveys (47). Chronic pain is a common symptom and significant problem for older adults.…”

Opioids in chronic noncancer pain

“…Harkness et al, in a 2000 publication, showed that there was a large difference in the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain over a 40-year period under investigation [9]. The results showed that overall, the prevalence of low back pain increased from 8.1 to 17.8% in males, and it increased from 9.1 to 18.2% in females.…”

“…Chronic persistent pain can cause significant impairment of physical and psychological health, and performance of social responsibilities, including work and family life [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. While modern medicine has shown significant improvements in the understanding of pain (including diagnosis and treatment), chronic pain continues to be an epidemic resulting in vocational, social and family discord, which may make the difference between life and death, and is accompanied by claims of inadequate treatment [1][2][3][4][5][13][14][15][16][17].…”

Somatoform disorder: a raison d'etre for liaison psychiatry

“…12 Therefore depression typically presents somatically and pain appears to be a core feature of depression. In Ireland as elsewhere in the western world, pain medicine services have evolved in most healthcare settings to meet the needs of patients with chronic pain who are increasing in prevalence 13 and who typically have marked disability. Unfortunately these services have not always been resourced or developed to include access to assessment by a mental health professional.…”