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The onset of widespread musculoskeletal pain is associated with a decrease in healthy ageing in older people: a
Ross Wilkie1, Abdelouahid Tajar, John McBeth
1Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre, Primary Care Sciences, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, United Kingdom. r.wilkie@keele.ac.uk
Plos One
|April 5, 2013
Summary
The onset of widespread pain in adults aged 50+ is linked to decreased healthy ageing. This association persisted even after accounting for various health factors and conditions, suggesting pain impacts overall well-being.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Pain Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Chronic musculoskeletal pain is prevalent in older adults.
- The relationship between aging and pain onset is not well understood.
- Healthy aging is a multidimensional concept encompassing physical, mental, and social well-being.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between the onset of widespread pain and healthy aging.
- To test the hypothesis that widespread pain onset signifies a decline in healthy aging.
Main Methods:
- A population-based prospective cohort study was conducted.
- A "healthy aging" index was developed, incorporating biomedical, physical, psychosocial, and lay components.
- Data from 2949 adults aged 50 years and older were analyzed at baseline and 3- and 6-year follow-ups.
Main Results:
- The onset of widespread pain occurred in 16.8% and 14.3% of participants at 3- and 6-year follow-ups, respectively.
- Widespread pain onset was associated with a 25% and 46% decrease in healthy aging index scores over six years.
- These decreases remained significant after adjusting for age, sex, lifestyle factors, diagnosed musculoskeletal conditions, and medication use.
Conclusions:
- The onset of widespread pain is demonstrably linked to a decline in healthy aging.
- Increased pain over time correlated with increased markers of unhealthy aging.
- Strong analgesia use was also associated with poorer healthy aging outcomes.
- Further research should explore early pain intervention to promote healthy aging.
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