The pain-comorbidity links: a cross-sectional analysis of musculoskeletal burden in Saudi older adults

Musculoskeletal pain co-occurring with cardiometabolic conditions was common among older adults in Saudi Arabia. Female sex consistently predicted pain, and obesity was more strongly associated with hypertension. Effect-modification patterns identify high-risk strata; therefore, routine cardiometabolic screening should be incorporated into musculoskeletal management, with first-line non-pharmacologic care and targeted counselling for obese women and smokers.