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Open Access 01-12-2006 | Research article

The transition of reported pain in different body regions – a one-year follow-up study

Authors: Christina Gummesson, Sven-Olof Isacsson, Agneta H Isacsson, H Ingemar Andersson, John Ektor-Andersen, Per-Olof Östergren, Bertil Hanson, the Malmö Shoulder-Neck Study group

Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders | Issue 1/2006

Abstract

Background

The course of pain at a specific region such as the lower back has previously been shown as well as for generalized pain. However we have not found any report on the course of pain from various different specific regions. The aim of this investigation was to study the one-year transition of reported pain in different body locations.

Methods

From a general population 14555 men and women, 46–68 years, responded to an extensive health questionnaire including the standardized Nordic questionnaire. The population represented 27% of the total population within the age group in Malmö, Sweden. At the one year follow-up 12607 responded to the questionnaire, yielding a response rate of 87%. The one year prevalence of long-lasting pain and the pattern of pain reporting from different regions were studied for men and women.

Results

The one-year prevalence of long-lasting neck pain was 14% (95% CI 13–15) among men and 25% (95% CI 24–26) among women at baseline and 15% (95% CI 14–16) for the men and 23% (95% CI 22–24) for the women at follow-up. Of those reporting neck pain "all the time" at baseline, 48% of the men and 54% of the women also reported neck pain "all the time" at the one-year follow-up. At the follow-up neck pain was reported as present "often" by 43% of the men and 47% of the women who reported neck pain "often" at baseline. Similar transition pattern were found for neck, shoulders, elbow/wrist/hand and lower back symptoms, as well as consistent prevalence rates.

Conclusion

The one-year transition pattern of reported pain was similar in different body regions and among men and women. Furthermore the prevalence rates of long-lasting pain in the population were consistent at baseline and the follow-up. The findings of similar transition patterns support the interpretation of long-lasting pain as a generalized phenomenon rather than attributed to specific exposure. This may have implications for future pain research.

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The pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2474/7/17/prepub

Title: The transition of reported pain in different body regions – a one-year follow-up study
Authors: Christina Gummesson
Sven-Olof Isacsson
Agneta H Isacsson
H Ingemar Andersson
John Ektor-Andersen
Per-Olof Östergren
Bertil Hanson
the Malmö Shoulder-Neck Study group
Publication date: 01-12-2006
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders / Issue 1/2006
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2474
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-7-17

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

The transition of reported pain in different body regions – a one-year follow-up study

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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