Chronic widespread pain (CWP) is strongly associated with psychosocial distress both in a clinical setting and in the community. The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of measures of psychosocial distress, health-seeking behaviour, sleep problems and traumatic life events to the development of new cases of CWP in the community. In a population-based prospective study, 3171 adults aged 25–65 yrs free of CWP were followed-up 15 months later to identify those with new CWP. 324 subjects [10%, 95% confidence interval developed new CWP at follow-up. The authors concluded that subjects are at substantial increased odds of developing CWP if they display features of somatization, health-seeking behaviour and poor sleep. Psychosocial distress has a strong aetiological influence on CWP.
Rheumatology 2007 46(4):666-671