Self-reported musculoskeletal pain predicts long-term increase in general health care use: a
population-based cohort study with 20-year follow-up
Sammanfattning
Aims: Musculoskeletal pain and disability is a modern epidemic and a major reason for seeking
health care. The aim of this study is to determine absolute and relative rates of care seeking over 20
years for adults reporting musculoskeletal complaints. Methods: Interview data on musculoskeletal
pain reported during the past two weeks from the Danish National Cohort Study were merged with
data from the Danish National Health Insurance Registry and the National Patient Registry containing
information on consultations in the Danish primary and secondary care sector. Absolute and relative
rates for all seeking of care with general practitioners, physiotherapists, chiropractors, outpatient
hospital contacts and hospital admissions are reported for persons reporting no musculoskeletal
pain and for persons reporting pain in the neck, shoulder, wrist/hands, mid back, low back, hips,
knees and ankles/feet. Results: Regardless of site, persons experiencing a musculoskeletal
complaint had a statistically increased risk of consulting a general practitioner when compared with
persons reporting no musculoskeletal complaint. For physiotherapists and chiropractors, only
persons complaining of neck pain and back pain had an increased risk of seeking care. Regardless
of pain site, except for shoulder pain, persons reporting musculoskeletal pain had a statistically
significant increased risk of outpatient hospital consultations and hospital admissions. Few
differences were found between pain sites in relation to any of the outcomes. Conclusions: Self-report
of musculoskeletal pain reported within the past two weeks predicts a statistically significant long-
term increase in general use of health care services in both the primary and the secondary health
care sector.