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Musculoskeletal consultations from childhood to adulthood: a longitudinal study
N Prathivadi Bhayankaram1, R J Lacey1, L A Barnett1
1Primary Care Centre Versus Arthitis, School of Primary, Community and Social Care, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, UK.
Insights
Musculoskeletal conditions are common causes of disability. Healthcare consultations for these conditions increase with age from childhood to young adulthood, with pain being the primary reason. Rates remain stable over time.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Musculoskeletal Health
Background:
- Musculoskeletal conditions are significant global causes of disability.
- Longitudinal studies tracking these conditions from childhood to adulthood are scarce.
- Understanding early-life onset is crucial for lifelong management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the longitudinal changes in musculoskeletal consultation prevalence from childhood to adulthood.
- To identify age- and gender-specific patterns in musculoskeletal consultations.
- To analyze the primary reasons for seeking healthcare for musculoskeletal issues.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of nine birth cohorts (ages 7-15) using electronic health records from 11 English general practices.
- Calculation of annual musculoskeletal consultation prevalence.
- Evaluation of reasons for consultation, focusing on pain types and locations.
Main Results:
- Musculoskeletal consultation prevalence increased from 6% at age 7 to 16% by age 22.
- Prevalence was higher in males until age 15, then higher in females.
- Back pain consultations rose significantly, from 1 to 84 per 1000 individuals between ages 7 and 22.
Conclusions:
- Individuals increasingly seek healthcare for musculoskeletal issues as they age from childhood.
- Consultation rates for musculoskeletal conditions are not rising over time.
- Age, gender, and pain region data can inform life-course studies on chronic musculoskeletal pain development.
Background:
The Global Burden of Disease reports indicate that musculoskeletal conditions are important causes of disability worldwide. Such conditions may originate in childhood, but studies investigating changes longitudinally and from childhood to adulthood are infrequent.
Methods:
Nine birth cohorts of children (starting at ages 7-15 years) were followed. Participants were identified from Consultations in Primary Care Archive, an electronic health record database of 11 English general practices. Musculoskeletal consultation prevalence figures were calculated, and reasons for consultation evaluated.
Results:
Annual musculoskeletal consultation prevalence was similar across cohorts for each age. Prevalence increased from 6 to 16% between ages 7 and 22 and was higher in males until age 15, after which prevalence was higher in females. Pain was the most common reason for consultation. Back pain consultations increased from 1 consultation/1000 7 year olds to 84 consultations/1000 22 year olds. Lower limb pain consultations increased from 21 consultations/1000 7 year olds to 56 consultations/1000 22 year olds.
Conclusions:
This study shows that from childhood, individuals are more likely to seek healthcare for musculoskeletal consultations as they age, but rates are not increasing over time. Changes in consultation rates by age, gender and pain region may inform studies on the development of chronic musculoskeletal pain over the life-course.
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