The prevalence of chronic widespread pain in the general population.
OBJECTIVE
To establish the prevalence of chronic widespread pain and associated symptoms in a general population sample.


METHODS
Cross sectional postal survey of 2,034 adults in the north of England.


RESULTS
The point prevalence of chronic widespread pain was 11.2%. The symptom was strongly associated with other somatic complaints and with measures of depression and anxiety.


CONCLUSIONS
In the general population, this cardinal symptom of fibromyalgia is common and identifies a group who are more likely also to report symptoms of fatigue and depression.
Croft
P
P
Arthritis and Rheumatism Council Epidemiology Research Unit, University of Manchester, England.
Rigby
A S
AS
Boswell
R
R
Schollum
J
J
Silman
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D005356:Fibromyalgia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000150:complications; D010146:Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013577:Syndrome