Reference values and factors associated with musculoskeletal symptoms in healthy adolescents and adults

Jennifer N Baldwin; Marnee J McKay; Niamh Moloney; Claire E Hiller; Elizabeth J Nightingale; Joshua Burns; 1000 Norms Project Consortium

doi:10.1016/j.msksp.2017.03.010

Reference values and factors associated with musculoskeletal symptoms in healthy adolescents and adults

Musculoskelet Sci Pract. 2017 Jun:29:99-107. doi: 10.1016/j.msksp.2017.03.010. Epub 2017 Mar 23.

Authors

Jennifer N Baldwin¹, Marnee J McKay², Niamh Moloney³, Claire E Hiller², Elizabeth J Nightingale², Joshua Burns⁴; 1000 Norms Project Consortium

Affiliations

¹ Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: jennifer.baldwin@sydney.edu.au.
² Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Australia.
³ Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Australia; Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
⁴ Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Australia; Paediatric Gait Analysis Service of New South Wales, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network (Randwick and Westmead), Australia.

PMID: 28351022
DOI: 10.1016/j.msksp.2017.03.010

Abstract

Background: Insufficient attention has been given to individuals who report musculoskeletal symptoms yet experience minimal disability.

Objectives: To examine musculoskeletal symptoms among healthy individuals, and compare demographic, psychological and physical factors between individuals with and without symptoms.

Design: Cross-sectional observational study.

Method: Data were from the 1000 Norms Project which recruited 1000 individuals aged 3-101 years. Participants were healthy by self-report and had no major physical disability. Musculoskeletal symptoms (ache/pain/discomfort, including single-site and multi-site symptoms) were assessed in adolescents (11-17y) and adults (18-101y) using the Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ-E). To compare individuals with single-site, multi-site and no symptoms, body mass index, grip strength, 6-min walk, 30-s chair stand and timed up-and-down stairs (all participants), and mental health, sleep difficulties, self-efficacy and physical activity (adults), were collected.

Results: /findings: Socio-demographic characteristics were similar to the Australian population. Twelve-month period prevalence of all symptoms was 69-82%; point prevalence was 23-39%. Adults with single-site symptoms were more likely to be overweight/obese and had lower sit-to-stand and stair-climbing performance (p < 0.05). Adults with multi-site symptoms were more likely to be female and overweight/obese, had lower mental health, greater sleep difficulties and lower grip strength, 6-min walk and sit-to-stand performance (p < 0.05). Differences were only observed among 50-59, 60-69, 70-79 and 80-101 year-olds.

Conclusions: Normative reference data for the NMQ-E have been generated. Musculoskeletal symptoms are common among healthy individuals. In older adults, musculoskeletal symptoms are linked with overweight/obesity, lower mental health, sleep difficulties and lower physical performance, emphasising the importance of multi-dimensional assessments in musculoskeletal disorders.

Keywords: Activities of daily living; Musculoskeletal pain; Prevalence.

Publication types

Comparative Study
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Australia / epidemiology
Child
Child, Preschool
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Musculoskeletal Pain / epidemiology
Musculoskeletal Pain / physiopathology*
Pain Measurement / methods*
Pain Measurement / statistics & numerical data*
Prevalence
Reference Values
Socioeconomic Factors
Surveys and Questionnaires
Young Adult