Chronic upper extremity pain and co-occurring symptoms in a general population.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the prevalence of self reported chronic upper extremity pain associated with physical impairment in a general population, and its co-occurrence with chronic upper extremity numbness or tingling and chronic pain at other locations.


METHODS
A general health questionnaire was mailed to 3,000 persons (age 25-74 years) who were randomly selected from a general population register.


RESULTS
The response rate was 83%. The prevalence of chronic upper extremity pain associated with physical impairment was 20.8% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 19.2-22.5), and that of co-occurring numbness or tingling was 6.7% (95% CI 5.7-7.7). Among the responders with chronic upper extremity pain associated with physical impairment, 84% reported more than 1 painful area.


CONCLUSIONS
Chronic upper extremity pain associated with physical impairment and co-occurring chronic upper extremity numbness or tingling were common in the general population. The presence of more than 1 location for pain in the upper extremity as well as in other parts of the body was frequent.
Gummesson
Christina
C
Hässleholm-Kristianstad Hospitals, Kristianstad University, Lund, Sweden. gunmmesson@sjukgym.lu.se
Atroshi
Isam
I
Ekdahl
Charlotte
C
Johnsson
Ragnar
R
Ornstein
Ewald
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D006987:Hypesthesia / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D010146:Pain / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*