title: Patterns of shoulder pain during a 14-year follow-up: results from a longitudinal population study in Norway.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Population studies have reported that shoulder pain is the third most frequently reported musculoskeletal pain. Long duration, pain intensity and high level of disability predict persistent complaints. The present study aimed to describe the prevalence of shoulder pain in a general population and follow this over a long period (1990 to 2004). The objective was also to describe the stability of shoulder pain and patterns of co-occurrence with neck and upper back pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were obtained from a self-reported questionnaire in a population in Ullensaker muncipality, north-east of Oslo. The Standard Nordic Questionnaire was sent in 1990, 1994 and 2004 to inhabitants belonging to six birth cohorts from 1918-20 to 1968-70.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 1-year prevalence of shoulder pain was 46.7% (95% CI, 44.9% to 48.6%) in 1990, 48.7% (95% CI, 46.8% to 50.5%) in 1994, and 55.2% (95% CI, 53.5% to 56.9%) in 2004. Approximately three-quarters of the persons with shoulder pain at one given time also reported shoulder pain at the next follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prevalence of shoulder pain during a 14-year period was high and slightly increasing. Shoulder pain was reported most frequently in co-occurrence with neck pain. Classification models should include neck pain as well as other co-occurring pain sites.
authors: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevaal, Norway.
authors: Kaia B
authors: KB
authors: Engebretsen
authors: FORMI, Division for Neuroscience and Musculoskeletal Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevaal, Norway; Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy, Oslo, Norway.
authors: Margreth
authors: M
authors: Grotle
authors: Department of General Practice, Institute of Health and Society, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
authors: Bård
authors: B
authors: Natvig
keywords: co-existing pain; prevalence; shoulder pain; stability of pain