Musculoskeletal pain in an ageing population: a cross-sectional analysis of the Maastricht study

To estimate the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain (MSP) across age groups in a Dutch population sample of middle-aged and older adults. Cross-sectional data of 8618 participants aged 40-75 years from The Maastricht Study was used. Participants reported any (≥ 1 day in the past month) and chronic (≥ 3 months) MSP. Additionally, the latter group reported pain locations (grouped in six pain regions) and intensity (visual analogue scale 1-10). Prevalence of any and (patterns of) chronic MSP were described across seven age groups. Logistic and multinominal regression analyses assessed associations of age groups with MSP, adjusted for sex or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Interactions between age and sex or T2DM were tested. Prevalence of any and chronic MSP was 53% and 29%, respectively. Any MSP was less common in participants aged 70-75 years compared to those aged 40-44 years (OR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.65-0.99). Chronic MSP plateaued after age 60 (range ORs 55-69 years 1.27-1.38). Neck/chest/shoulder (65%) and lower back (55%) were the most common chronic pain regions. Pain in four or more locations was reported by 43%, with no age-group differences. Sex and T2DM did not modify the relation between age group and chronic MSP. Mean pain intensity in those with chronic MSP (5.6, SD 1.7) was stable across age groups. The prevalence of chronic MSP seems not to increase further after the age of 60, possibly reflecting decreased work demands, altered pain perception, effective pain management, or selection bias of healthier older individuals.