Obesity is associated with a higher prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in middle-aged women

Abstract

Musculoskeletal pain (MSP) has been recently linked with high plasma leptin levels. Our objective was to study if obese women, who have higher leptin levels, could have a higher frequency of MSP. We studied 6079 Latin-American women, 40–59 years old. Their epidemiological data were recorded and the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), Golberg Anxiety and Depression Scale and Insomnia Scale were applied. MSP was defined as a score ≥2 on MRS11. Women with MSP were slightly older, had fewer years of schooling and were more sedentary. They also complained of more severe menopausal symptoms (29.2% versus. 4.4%, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, they had a higher abdominal perimeter (87.2 ± 12.0 cm versus 84.6 ± 11.6 cm, p < 0.0001) and a higher prevalence of obesity (23.1% versus 15.2%, p < 0.0001). Compared to normal weight women, those with low body weight (IMC <18.5) showed a lower risk of MSP (OR 0.71; 95%CI, 0.42–1.17), overweight women had a higher risk (OR 1.64; 95%CI, 1.44–1.87) and obese women the highest risk (OR 2.06; 95%CI, 1.76–2.40). Logistic regression analysis showed that obesity is independently associated to MSP (OR 1.34; 95%CI, 1.16–1.55). We conclude that obesity is one identifiable risk factor for MSP in middle-aged women.

Chinese abstract

最近研究发现肌肉骨骼痛(MSP)与高血浆瘦素水平有关。我们的目标是研究瘦素水平较高的肥胖妇女MSP频率是否更高。我们研究了6079名40-59岁的拉美裔女性, 记录了她们的流行病学资料, 并通过绝经评估量表 (MRS), 戈尔博格焦虑抑郁量表和失眠量表进行评估。MSP定义为 数值≥ MRS11。患MSP的女性年龄稍长, 受教育经历较短, 更倾向于久坐。她们通常主诉患有更严重的绝经症状 (29.2% 比 4.4%, p＜0.0001)。此外, MSP妇女腹围较大 (87.2 ± 12.0 cm 比 84.6 ± 11.6 cm, p＜0.0001), 肥胖风险较高(23.1% 比15.2%,p＜0.0001)。与正常体重妇女相比, 低体重(IMC＜18.5)妇女MSP风险较低(OR 0.71; 95%CI, 0.42–1.17), 超重妇女风险较高(OR 1.64; 95%CI, 1.44–1.87), 肥胖妇女风险最高(OR 2.06; 95%CI, 1.76–2.40)。Logistic回归分析显示, 肥胖与MSP (OR 1.34; 95%CI, 1.16–1.55)独立相关。我们得出结论, 肥胖是中年妇女MSP的一个可确认的风险因素。

Keywords:

• Leptin
• middle-aged women
• menopause
• obesity
• pain

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.