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. 1999 Mar;38(3):275-9.
doi: 10.1093/rheumatology/38.3.275.

The prevalence and associated features of chronic widespread pain in the community using the 'Manchester' definition of chronic widespread pain

I M Hunt  1 , A J Silman, S Benjamin, J McBeth, G J Macfarlane
Affiliations

The prevalence and associated features of chronic widespread pain in the community using the 'Manchester' definition of chronic widespread pain

I M Hunt et al. Rheumatology (Oxford). 1999 Mar.

Abstract

Objective: We examine the descriptive epidemiology of chronic widespread pain using the 'Manchester' definition [CWP(M)] and assess psychosocial and other features which characterize subjects with such pain according to these more stringent criteria.

Methods: A population postal survey of 3004 subjects was conducted in the Greater Manchester area of the UK.

Results: The point prevalence of Manchester-defined chronic widespread pain was 4.7%. CWP(M) was associated with psychological disturbance [risk ratio (RR) = 2.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.4-3.5)], fatigue [RR = 3.8, 95% CI (2.3-6.1)], low levels of self-care [RR = 2.2, 95% CI (1.4-3.6)] and with the reporting of other somatic symptoms [RR = 2.0, 95% CI (1.3-3.1)]. Hypochondriacal beliefs and a preoccupation with bodily symptoms were also associated with the presence of CWP(M).

Conclusion: This definition of chronic widespread pain is more precise in identifying subjects with truly widespread pain and its associated adverse psychosocial factors. Clear associations with other 'non-pain' somatic symptoms were identified, which further supports the hypothesis that chronic widespread pain is one feature of somatization.

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