Musculoskeletal pain is associated with a long-term increased risk of cancer and cardiovascular-related mortality

Abstract

Objectives. To test the hypothesis that individuals with regional and widespread pain disorders have an increased risk of mortality.Methods. We conducted a prospective cohort study of 4515 adults. Subjects were an age- and sex-stratified sample who had participated in a population study of pain occurrence during 1996. Based on those reports subjects were classified as having no pain, regional pain or widespread pain. All subjects were identified on the National Health Service Central Register and followed up until April 2005, a total of 8.2 yrs, at which time information was obtained on vital status, and if applicable, date and cause of death. The relationship between pain status and subsequent death is expressed as mortality rate ratios with 95% CIs, adjusted for age, gender, ethnicity and practice.Results. A total of 35.2% reported regional pain and 16.9% satisfied criteria for widespread pain. In comparison with those without pain, there was a 20% and 30% increased risk of dying over the follow-up period among subjects with regional and widespread pain, respectively. The specific causes of death in excess were cancer and cardiovascular disease. In addition, the mortality risk from both cancer and cardiovascular deaths was found to increase as the number of pain sites that subjects reported increased.Conclusions. This study supports a previous observation that persons with regional and widespread pain are at an increased risk of cancer death. Possible mechanisms should be explored.

The relationship between back pain and mortality in older adults varies with disability and gender: Results from the Cambridge City over‐75s Cohort (CC75C) study

“…McBeth et al (2009) demonstrated an increase in allcause, cancer-related and cardiovascular mortality associated with regional/widespread pain in individuals ≥16yrs. Torrance et al (2010) demonstrated individuals reporting severe chronic pain experienced a 50% increase in risk of all-cause mortality over 20yrs compared to those with milder symptoms.…”

The Chiropractic Care of Patients With Cancer

“…[114][115][116] There exists a strong relationship between NMS symptoms and the possible underlying pathology of cancer. [117][118][119] In a study of insured patients with cancer, musculoskeletal signs and symptoms (ie, acute sprains and strains, cervical pain syndromes, low back pain, and bursitis, synovitis, and tenosynovitis) were commonly diagnosed. 120 Furthermore, the study found that chiropractic use among cancer patients was substantial and ranged from 7.2% for men with bladder cancer to 15.1% for women with skin cancer.…”

Targeting Aldh2 for Therapeutic Interventions in Chronic Pain-Related Myocardial Ischemic Susceptibility

“…International Publisher report has demonstrated that chronic pain is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, predominated by cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer [2]. Moreover, cardiovascular risk factors are more prevalent in people reporting chronic pain [3].…”