Muscle Pain in Women Between 25 and 55 Years in Oslo, Norway

Abstract

Objectives: To measure the prevalence of muscle pain and offer a descriptive classification based on the three dimensions of localization, duration, and function.

Methods: A postal questionnaire survey consisting of 86 questions. A random sample of 4000 women from 25 to 55 years from four different parts of Oslo was drawn from the Central Population Register. The response rate was 68%.

Results: Thirty-seven percent confirmed muscle pain on the day the questionnaire was filled in, 52% had such pain during the previous two weeks, and 65% during the previous three months.

Conclusions: Muscle pain is extremely prevalent. A concept of generalized long-lasting muscle pain is suggested as an alternative to fibromyalgia. Such classifications of distribution, duration, and function gives an overall prevalence of 3% in this study.

KEYWORDS:

• Muscle pain
• prevalence
• fibromyalgia