Author Interviews, Pain Research, Rheumatology, Sleep Disorders / 14.02.2014
Poor Sleep Predicts Pain in Older Adults
MedicalResearch.com Interview:
Dr. John McBeth
Arthritis Research UK Primary Care Centre
Keele University in Staffordshire
MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings of the study?
Dr. McBeth: In this study, reporting musculoskeletal pain was common with just under half of participants reporting some pain and one quarter reporting widespread pain. Of those who were free of WP at baseline, 19% reported new onset widespread pain at three year follow up.
In addition to osteoarthritis, sleep, cognitive impairment, anxiety and physical health independently predicted the onset of widespread pain and are important treatment targets. In this study non-restorative sleep was the strongest predictor of new onset widespread pain. Sleep is a modifiable target that could improve outcome in this patient group.
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