PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Al-Arfaj, Abdurhman S.
AU  - Alballa, Suliman R.
AU  - Al-Dalaan, Abdullah N.
AU  - Al-Saleh, Salman S.
AU  - Al-Sekeit, Mohammed A.
AU  - Bahabri, Sultan A.
AU  - Mousa, Mohammed A.
TI  - Musculoskeletal pain in the community
DP  - 2003 Aug 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 863--867
VI  - 24
IP  - 8
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/24/8/863.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/24/8/863.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2003 Aug 01; 24
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of musculoskeletal (MSK) pain in Al-Qaseem province in central Saudi Arabia.METHODS: Over a period of 18 months extending from September 1993 through to the end of February 1995, a house-to-house survey was conducted in Al-Qaseem province and included 5,894 adults asking regarding musculoskeletal pain.RESULTS: We obtained a response from 5,823 (98.8%), 2,667 (45.8%) men, and 3,156 (54.2%) women. The mean age was 34.14 +/= 15.16 years. Musculoskeletal pain was reported by 1,477 (25.4%), 762 (13.1%) men and 715 (12.3%) women. Musculoskeletal pain was significantly correlated with age (r =0.454), married status (r=0.238), unemployment (r=0.122), lower educational attainment (r=0.347), frequent attendance at local doctor (r=0.703), consumption of medications for pain (r =0.551), and change in ability to work (r=0.492). We found no association with sex or body mass index.CONCLUSION: Musculoskeletal pain, although common in the community, is less prevalent than reported from Western countries, but has similar socio-medical consequences.