Chronic widespread pain prevalence in the general population: A systematic review

Abstract Chronic widespread pain (CWP) is a significant burden in communities. Understanding the impact of population‐dependent (e.g., age, gender) and contextual‐dependent (e.g. survey method, region, inequality level) factors have on CWP prevalence may provide a foundation for population‐based strategies to address CWP. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to estimate the global prevalence of CWP and evaluate the population and contextual factors associated with CWP. A systematic review of CWP prevalence studies (1990–2017) in the general population was undertaken. Meta‐analyses were conducted to determine CWP prevalence, and study population data and contextual factors were evaluated using a meta‐regression. Thirty‐nine manuscripts met the inclusion criteria. Study CWP prevalence ranged from 1.4% to 24.0%, with CWP prevalence in men ranging from 0.8% to 15.3% and 1.7% to 22.1% in women. Estimated overall CWP prevalence was 9.6% (8.0–11.2%). Meta‐regression analyses showed gender, United Nations country development status, and human development index (HDI) influenced CWP prevalence, while survey method, region, methodological and reporting quality, and inequality showed no significant effect on the CWP estimate. Globally CWP affects one in ten individuals within the general population, with women more likely to experience CWP than men. HDI was noted to be the socioeconomic factor related to CWP prevalence, with those in more developed countries having ...
Source: European Journal of Pain - Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Tags: Systematic Review Source Type: research