Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2017 Jul-Aug;21(4):274-280.
doi: 10.1016/j.bjpt.2017.05.005. Epub 2017 May 20.

Prevalence and factors associated with neck pain: a population-based study

Caio Vitor Dos Santos Genebra  1 , Nicoly Machado Maciel  1 , Thiago Paulo Frascareli Bento  2 , Sandra Fiorelli Almeida Penteado Simeão  3 , Alberto De Vitta  4
Affiliations

Prevalence and factors associated with neck pain: a population-based study

Caio Vitor Dos Santos Genebra et al. Braz J Phys Ther. 2017 Jul-Aug.

Abstract

Background: Neck pain is a musculoskeletal condition with high prevalence that may affect the physical, social, and psychological aspects of the individual, contributing to the increase in costs in society and business.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of neck pain and associated factors in a population-based sample of adults aged 20 and more.

Methods: Cross-sectional study based on a population survey. A total number of 600 individuals were interviewed in their homes, and the following data were collected: (1) participant characteristics (demographic, socioeconomic, and work-related aspects) using a pre-coded questionnaire; (2) physical activity level using the IPAQ; and (3) musculoskeletal symptoms using the Nordic questionnaire. Descriptive, bivariate, and Poisson regression analyses were performed.

Results: The prevalence of neck pain was 20.3% (95% CI 17.3-23.7). The adjusted analyses showed that individuals who were widowers or separated (PR=2.26; 1.42-5.88), had a low income (PR=1.32; 1.22-6.27) or low educational level (PR=1.83; 1.02-5.26), worked while sitting and leaning (PR=1.55; 1.08-2.40), and who reported having two or more diseases (PR=1.71; 1.55-6.31) remained associated with neck pain.

Conclusion: This study reveals the high prevalence of neck pain and remarkable association with widowed/separated people who have low income and low educational level, who perform their occupational activities in sitting and leaning positions, and who reported having two or more diseases. Knowledge of these risk factors will contribute to the development of forms of assistance in which neck pain can be prevented and better managed.

Keywords: Epidemiology; Neck pain; Physical therapy; Risk factors.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Vingard E. Chapter 5.6: major public health problems – musculoskeletal disorders. Scand J Public Health Suppl. 2006;67:104–112. - PubMed
    1. Fejer R., Kyvik K.O., Hartvigsen J. The prevalence of neck pain in the world population: a systematic critical review of the literature. Eur Spine J. 2006;15:834–848. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Malchaire J.B., Roquelaure Y., Cock N., Piette A., Vergracht S., Chiron H. Musculoskeletal complaints, functional capacity, personality and psychosocial factors. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2001;74(8):549–557. - PubMed
    1. Cimmino M.A., Ferrone C., Cutolo M. Epidemiology of chronic musculoskeletal pain. Best Practice Res Clin Rheumatol. 2011;25(2):173–183. - PubMed
    1. Yue P., Liu F., Li L. Neck/shoulder pain and low back pain among school teachers in China, prevalence and risk factors. BMC Public Health. 2012;12:789. - PMC - PubMed