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Associations Between Fat Mass and Multisite Pain: A Five-Year Longitudinal Study.
Feng Pan1, Laura Laslett1, Leigh Blizzard1
1University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia.
Arthritis Care & Research
|July 9, 2016
Summary
Obesity, measured by fat mass, is linked to multisite pain (MSP) in older adults. Higher fat mass predicts increased pain in multiple body areas, suggesting mechanical and inflammatory factors contribute to this association.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Pain Medicine
- Obesity Research
Background:
- Pain is a prevalent issue among older adults, often affecting multiple body sites.
- Obesity is recognized as a significant risk factor contributing to the development of pain and multisite pain (MSP).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the longitudinal relationship between body fat mass and multisite pain (MSP) in an aging population.
- To explore potential underlying mechanisms linking fat mass to MSP.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from a longitudinal population-based study of 1,099 older adults with assessments at baseline, 2.6 years, and 5.1 years.
- Pain at specific sites (neck, back, hands, shoulders, hips, knees, feet) was assessed via questionnaire.
- Fat mass was quantified using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), alongside height and weight measurements.
Main Results:
- Participants with greater fat mass, fat mass index (FMI), and body mass index (BMI) reported more painful sites, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally.
- Longitudinally, increased fat mass was significantly associated with MSP (OR 1.06 per SD) and pain in hands, knees, hips, and feet.
- Similar associations were observed for FMI and BMI, with BMI also linked to back pain.
Conclusions:
- Fat mass, FMI, and BMI are independently associated with MSP and pain in lower extremities and hands in older adults.
- These findings suggest that mechanical loading and systemic inflammation are likely key contributors to fat-related MSP.
