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Back, neck, and shoulder pain in Finnish adolescents: national cross sectional surveys

BMJ 2002; 325 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.325.7367.743 (Published 05 October 2002) Cite this as: BMJ 2002;325:743
  1. Paula Hakala, research fellow (paula.hakala{at}hel.fi)a,
  2. Arja Rimpelä, professor of community healtha,
  3. Jouko J Salminen, chief physicianb,
  4. Suvi M Virtanen, senior researcher of Finnish Academya,
  5. Matti Rimpelä, professorc
  1. aTampere School of Public Health, University of Tampere, FIN-33014 Tampere, Finland
  2. bDepartment of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, University Hospital of Turku, Box 52, FIN-20520 Turku, Finland
  3. cNational Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health, Box 220, FIN-00531 Helsinki, Finland
  1. Correspondence to: P Hakala
  • Accepted 5 April 2002

Abstract

Objectives: To study changes in pain of the back and neck in adolescents between 1985 and 2001 and pain of the neck, shoulder, and lower back between 1991 and2001.

Design: Biennial nationwide postal surveys, 1985-2001, and annual classroom surveys, 1996-2001.

Setting: Finland.

Participants: 62 677 12, 14, 16, and 18 year olds and 127 217 14-16 year olds.

Main outcome measures: Pain in the back and neck, neck and shoulder, or lower back, at least weekly.

Results: Prevalence of pain in the back and neck was greater in the 1990s than in the 1980s and increased steadily from 1993 to 1997. Pain of the neck and shoulder and pain of the lower back was much more common in 1999 than in 1991 and in 2001 than in 1999. Pain was more common among girls and older groups: pain of the neck and shoulder affected 24% of girls and 12% of boys in 14 year olds, 38% of girls and 16% of boys in 16 year olds, and 45% of girls and 19% of boys in 18 year olds; pain in the lower back affected 8% of girls and 7% of boys in 14 year olds, 14% of girls and 11% of boys in 16 year olds, and 17% of boysand 13% of girls in 18 year olds.

Conclusion: Pain in the neck, shoulder, and lower back is becoming morecommon in Finnish adolescents. This pain suggests a new disease burden of degenerativemusculoskeletal disorders in future adults.

Footnotes

  • Funding Ministry of Social Affairs and Health; Medical Research Fund of Tampere University Hospital; Health Promotion Research Programme of the Academy of Finland.

  • Competing interests None declared

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