Increasing prevalence of chronic musculoskeletal complaints. A large 11-year follow-up in the general population (HUNT 2 and 3).

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To assess the prevalence of chronic musculoskeletal complaints (MSCs) in a large adult population, and to determine any changes in prevalence during an 11-year period.

METHODS:

This study involved two large cross-sectional surveys (Helseundersøkelsen i Nord-Trøndelag [HUNT] 2 and 3) of inhabitants in Nord-Trøndelag county aged ≥20 years performed in 1995-97 (N = 92,936) and 2006-08 (N = 94,194). Attendance rates were 70 and 42%, respectively. Respondents with chronic MSCs were identified through the screening question "Have you during the last year continuously for at least 3 months had pain and/or stiffness in muscles and joints?" The reliability of the screening question was evaluated in a random sample of participants (N = 563).

RESULTS:

The reliability of the screening question was good (kappa value 0.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.53-0.73). In HUNT 3, 48% had chronic MSCs and 20% had chronic widespread MSCs. The age-adjusted prevalence of chronic MSCs was higher (P < 0.001) in HUNT 3 (47.9%, 95% CI 47.6-48.2) compared with HUNT 2 (44.8%, 95% CI 44.5-45.2), evident for both genders, and most prominent in the age group 20-29 years. Chronic widespread MSCs were more common in HUNT 3 than in HUNT 2 among women (28.2 vs 26.0%, P < 0.001). Increased prevalence during the 11-year period was also found in supplementary analyses evaluating the influence of differences in participation rate.

CONCLUSIONS:

The prevalence of chronic MSCs and chronic widespread MSCs is high. The prevalence of chronic MSCs increased during the 11-year period. A nonresponse bias interfering with the comparisons over time could not completely be ruled out.

• Authors: Knut Hagen, Mattias Linde, Ingrid Heuch, Lars Jacob Stovner, John-Anker Zwart
• Journal: Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.) (Pain Med) Vol. 12 Issue 11 Pg. 1657-66 (Nov 2011) ISSN: 1526-4637 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 21939496 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Life Style
• Longitudinal Studies
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Musculoskeletal Pain (epidemiology)
• Norway (epidemiology)
• Reproducibility of Results
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Young Adult