Musculoskeletal pain in the community.

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.

How common is back pain in Al-Qaseem region.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of back pain in the adult population of Al-Qaseem Central Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to find associated features and factors. METHODS: A house-to-house survey covering 1,000 household in the towns and villages of Al-Qaseem province was carried out over a period of 18 months extending from September 1993 until the end of February 1995. A total of 5,894 adults, aged 16 years and above, were questioned by trained staff regarding back pain, and the demographic data in addition to general, medical and social history. RESULTS: A response was obtained in 5,743 (97.4%). Their mean age was 34.14 15.16 (range 16-99). Back pain was reported by 1,081 (18.8%), wherein 499 (8.8%) were men, and 574 (10%) were women. Back pain was more prevalent in married (23.3%) individuals than unmarried (6.4%). Adjusted odds ratio (OR) for back pain in married individuals was 1.88 (95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.49-2.37). Back pain was strongly correlated with age (correlation coefficient = 0.378 P < 0.01). It also showed significant correlation with weight and height, depression, family history of back pain, change in work ability, frequency of attendance at local doctor, use of medication and lower education level. The association with body mass index became evident only after comparing the heaviest 20th percentile to the lightest (OR 1.335 [95% CI, 1.279-1.402]). Certain occupational status (unemployed, farmers, professional workers and housewives) were associated with back pain. CONCLUSION: Back pain was relatively common in this largely unindustrialized community although its prevalence is lower than reported from some western countries.

Knee osteoarthritis in Al-Qaseem, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of clinical osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee in Al-Qaseem, a central province in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). METHODS: A house to house survey of randomly selected inhabitants of Al-Qaseem, KSA was conducted. A total of 10,406 persons were interviewed of whom 5,894 were above the age of 16 years. The study was carried out at King Khalid University Hospital and College of Medicine, Riyadh, KSA, from September 1993 to February 1995. They were questioned regarding musculoskeletal complaints, and those positively identified were interviewed further by a team of trained medical staff and later examined by trained doctors including rheumatologists. RESULTS: We found 766 (13%) cases of clinical OA of the knee in the 5,894 adult population (13%). The prevalence of OA increased with increasing age reaching 30.8% in those aged 46-55 years and 60.6% in the age group 66-75 years. The odds ratio (OR) for the association between clinical OA of the knee and age adjusted for sex and body mass index (BMI) was 1.0894 (95% CI, 1.08-1.09). The association of clinical OA of the knee with female sex was also significant [OR (adjused for age and BMI) was 1.261 (95% CI, 1.0456-1.5208)]. CONCLUSION: Clinical OA of the knee is common in this community, particularly in the older age groups.