BMJ 2002;325:743 ( 5 October )

Papers

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

Paula Hakala, research fellow, ^a Arja Rimpelä, professor of community health, ^a Jouko J Salminen, chief physician, ^b Suvi M Virtanen, senior researcher of Finnish Academy, ^a Matti Rimpelä, professor. ^c

^a Tampere School of Public Health, University of Tampere, FIN-33014 Tampere, Finland, ^b Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, University Hospital of Turku, Box 52, FIN-20520 Turku, Finland, ^c National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health, Box 220, FIN-00531 Helsinki, Finland

Correspondence to: P Hakala paula.hakala{at}hel.fi

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 and 2001.
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 boys and 13% of girls in 18 year olds.
Conclusion: Pain in the neck, shoulder, and lower back is becoming more common in Finnish adolescents. This pain suggests a new disease burden of degenerative musculoskeletal disorders in future adults.

What is already known on this topic Back pain, particularly of the lower back, is common in children and adolescents, and the lifetime prevalence of back pain is in the range 30-51% Neck-shoulder pain has been little studied in children and adolescents Degeneration of lower lumbar discs has been observed at the age of 15 and is a significant risk factor for chronic lower back pain in early adulthood What this study adds In two independent data setsone for the lower back and another for neck-shoulderthe prevalence of pain increased in adolescents through the 1990s, particularly in the latter half of the decade Neck-shoulder pain is common in 12-18 year olds

---

© BMJ 2002
CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

Relevant Article

Back pain is increasing in adolescents
BMJ 2002 325: 0. [Full Text]

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Virtanen, M., Kivimaki, M., Luopa, P., Vahtera, J., Elovainio, M., Jokela, J., Pietikainen, M. (2009). Staff reports of psychosocial climate at school and adolescents' health, truancy and health education in Finland. Eur J Public Health 0: ckp032v1-ckp032 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Andersen, L. L., Andersen, C. H., Zebis, M. K., Nielsen, P. K., Sogaard, K., Sjogaard, G. (2008). Effect of physical training on function of chronically painful muscles: a randomized controlled trial. J. Appl. Physiol. 105: 1796-1801 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Kaczynski, K. J., Claar, R. L., Logan, D. E. (2008). Testing Gender as a Moderator of Associations Between Psychosocial Variables and Functional Disability in Children and Adolescents with Chronic Pain. J Pediatr Psychol 0: jsn113v1-jsn113 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• McErlane, F., Gillon, C., Irvine, T., Davidson, J. E., Casson, D., Dalzell, A. M., Beresford, M. W. (2008). Arthropathy in paediatric inflammatory bowel disease: a cross-sectional observational study. Rheumatology (Oxford) 47: 1251-1252 [Full text]  
• Parkkari, J, Pasanen, K, Mattila, V M, Kannus, P, Rimpela, A (2008). The risk for a cruciate ligament injury of the knee in adolescents and young adults: a population-based cohort study of 46 500 people with a 9 year follow-up. Br. J. Sports. Med. 42: 422-426 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Andersen, L. L, Kjaer, M., Andersen, C. H, Hansen, P. B, Zebis, M. K, Hansen, K., Sjogaard, G. (2008). Muscle Activation During Selected Strength Exercises in Women With Chronic Neck Muscle Pain. ptjournal 88: 703-711 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Huppe, A., Muller, K., Raspe, H. (2007). Is the occurrence of back pain in Germany decreasing? Two regional postal surveys a decade apart. Eur J Public Health 17: 318-322 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Hakala, P. T., Rimpela, A. H., Saarni, L. A., Salminen, J. J. (2006). Frequent computer-related activities increase the risk of neck-shoulder and low back pain in adolescents. Eur J Public Health 16: 536-541 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Anttila, P., Metsahonkala, L., Sillanpaa, M. (2006). Long-term trends in the incidence of headache in Finnish schoolchildren.. Pediatrics 117: e1197-e1201 [Abstract] [Full text]  
• Mattila, V. M., Parkkari, J., Lintonen, T., Kannus, P., Rimpela, A. (2005). Occurrence of violence and violence-related injuries among 12--18 year-old Finns. Scand J Public Health 33: 307-313 [Abstract]  
• (2002). Pain in the Neck: A Common Problem of Adolescence. JWatch Pediatrics 2002: 3-3 [Full text]  

Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

Back problems due to computers?

Shahir Kassam-Adams
bmj.com, 7 Oct 2002 [Full text]

Computers and long-sightedness.

Phillip J. Colquitt
bmj.com, 8 Oct 2002 [Full text]

Increases in musculoskelatal pain is multifaceted

Kenneth H. Moger
bmj.com, 7 Jul 2003 [Full text]

Online poll

Find out more >>