title: Number of pain sites is associated with demographic, lifestyle, and health-related factors in the general population.
abstract: Research on widespread pain often relies upon case definitions bounded by duration limits or "cut-offs." In clinical reality, however, there are no natural cut-off points between localized and widespread pain. Rather, pain is best represented by a continuum of "widespreadness" from localized pain to pain spread across the body. The objective of this paper was to describe the number of pain sites (NPS) reported in a population study and its association with demographic, lifestyle, and health-related factors. Using a cross-sectional design, the Standardized Nordic Questionnaire was used to measure musculoskeletal pain among seven age groups in Ullensaker, Norway (n=2926). Results showed that women reported a higher mean NPS than men. A higher NPS was also found for individuals who were separated or divorced, undergoing rehabilitation, or who had a disability pension. Additionally, greater NPS was reported by smokers, individuals with less physical activity, and a higher BMI. A strong linear relationship was found between NPS and reduction in overall health, sleep quality, and psychological health. Results from a multivariate linear regression analysis showed that overall health, sleep quality, and gender demonstrated the strongest associations with increasing NPS, accounting for 31.4% of the variance. Our study indicates that the straightforward and simple method of counting the NPS could be important in managing the complex problem of musculoskeletal pain.
authors.affiliation: Section for Occupational and Social Insurance Medicine, Institute of General Practice and Community Medicine, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1130 Blindern, N-0317 Oslo, Norway. y.b.kamaleri@medisin.uio.no
authors.forename: Yusman
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kamaleri
authors.forename: Bård
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Natvig
authors.forename: Camilla M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Ihlebaek
authors.forename: Jurate Saltyte
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Benth
authors.forename: Dag
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bruusgaard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012890:Sleep; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires