Central Obesity Is Associated With an Increased Rate of Multisite Pain in Older Adults

Central obesity has been associated with several adverse health events, but little research exists about the longitudinal effects of central obesity on multisite pain. The purpose of this study was to assess if central obesity, as measured by waist circumference measurement, was associated with an increased rate of having multisite pain among older adults aged 65 years and older.

The National Health and Aging Trends Study is a longitudinal cohort study initiated in 2011 and intended to be representative of Medicare beneficiaries in the contiguous United States.

There were 7,145 community-dwelling participants included in this study. Data for this study were collected annually between 2011 and 2018. Researchers assessed if waist circumference risk level was associated with an increased rate ratio of multisite pain. Weighted data were used in a multivariable generalized estimating equation model that used a log link specified with a Poisson distribution.

Participants with high-risk waist circumferences (98 cm or greater for women and 109 cm or greater for men) had a 11% higher rate of multisite pain than those with low-risk waist circumferences [rate ratio (RR) 1.11, 95% CI: 1.07-1.15] adjusting for gender, age, race, education, probable major depression, arthritis, and multimorbidity count.

As measured by waist circumference, central adiposity is associated with multisite pain in older adults. While more research is needed, reducing waist circumference may prove beneficial in reducing the burden of multisite pain.