The importance of weak physical performance in older adults for the development of musculoskeletal pain that interferes with normal life. A prospective cohort study

Abstract

Background and aims There are associations between pain, comorbidity and risk of falling, and falling increases the risk of mortality in older persons, but few studies have investigated the development of pain as a result of impaired physical function. The aim of this study was to examine possible associations between weak physical performance and the development of musculoskeletal pain that interferes with normal life in a sample of older adults. The sample derived from a national, longitudinal multicenter study; the Swedish National Study on Ageing and Care; SNAC-B. Methods The participants (n = 490) were between 60 and 78 years at the baseline examinations. Three variables were chosen for the exposure physical function, from the baseline examinations; One Leg Stand, Grip strength and Sit-to-Stand. The outcome musculoskeletal pain that interferes with normal life was measured using EQ5D and SF-12 6 years later, and logistic regression was used to investigate possible associations between the exposures and the outcome. Results Maximum grip strength (Grippit) was inversely associated with musculoskeletal pain that interferes with normal life (OR 2.31; 95% CI 1.15–4.61), and One-Leg Stand and Sit-to-Stand were not associated with the development of pain (OR 1.30; 95% CI 0.64–2.64) and (OR 0.91; 95% CI 0.45–1.86), respectively. Conclusions Weak grip strength was inversely associated with the development of musculoskeletal pain that interferes with normal life in older adults. Implications Impaired proprioceptive function, strength and mobility in elderly with pain have been found in earlier research. Since pain increases the risk of falling, it is important to investigate if it may develop as a function of an impaired physical function. The results of the present study could be of importance for future prevention programs aiming to protect elderly from falling.