Dietary correlates of chronic widespread pain in Meru, Kenya

To gather preliminary data examining whether dehydration and/or exposure to monosodium glutamate (MSG) may influence pain in Meru, Kenya.

Two small pilot studies were conducted in Meru, Kenya after community report of high chronic pain in the region. First, a prevalence estimate was conducted among 89 participants from random households. Second, widespread chronic pain participants, recruited from the community, completed a demographic questionnaire, pain impact questionnaire, and 1-wk food/symptom diary. Those who returned the food/symptom diary 1 wk later were assigned to a treatment group based on their report of water/tea intake per day (<2 L versus ≥2 L) and reported use of mixed spices with MSG (yes/no). Groups received 1) water, 2) alternative spices without MSG, 3) water and alternative spices, or 4) acetaminophen (1000 mg twice daily) for those with neither exposure. Improvement was defined as ≥30% reduction in pain impact score.

Prevalence of chronic pain among 89 participants surveyed was 60%. Thirty participants were recruited for the intervention (90% female; average age 56 [ ± 18] y). The water and alternative spices and acetaminophen groups both experienced significant reductions in pain after 2 wk, with the greatest percentage of participants improving in the water and alternative spices group.

This pilot data suggests an abnormally high prevalence of pain in Meru, Kenya, and that MSG intake, combined with dehydration, may be contributing to chronic widespread pain in this region. Future research should include a formal pain prevalence estimate and a randomized controlled trial to further test this dietary intervention.