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Related Experiment Videos

Widespread body pain and mortality: prospective population based study.

G J Macfarlane1, J McBeth, A J Silman

  • 1Unit of Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Medical School, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PT. G.Macfarlane@man.ac.uk

BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.)
|September 22, 2001
PubMed
Summary

Widespread body pain is linked to increased cancer mortality. This study suggests a need for closer monitoring of individuals experiencing persistent, unexplained pain symptoms.

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Area of Science:

  • Epidemiology
  • Clinical Medicine
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Chronic pain conditions, such as fibromyalgia, are prevalent.
  • The long-term mortality risks associated with widespread pain are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate excess mortality in individuals reporting widespread body pain.
  • To characterize the nature and extent of any observed excess mortality.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective follow-up study was conducted over eight years in North West England.
  • 6,569 participants from pain surveys in 1991-2 were analyzed for baseline pain status and subsequent mortality.
  • Mortality rate ratios were adjusted for age, sex, and study location.

Main Results:

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  • Individuals with widespread pain (15%) and regional pain (48%) exhibited higher mortality rates compared to those with no pain.
  • Excess mortality was primarily attributed to cancer deaths, with significantly higher rates in the widespread pain group (rate ratio 2.07).
  • Increased non-disease related deaths (e.g., accidents, suicide) were also noted in the widespread pain group.

Conclusions:

  • An association exists between widespread pain reports and increased long-term cancer mortality.
  • These findings highlight the importance of long-term follow-up for patients with unexplained widespread pain symptoms.
  • Further research may elucidate the mechanisms underlying this association.