Prevalence and Pattern of Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain among Older Adults and its Sociodemographic and Pain Intervention Correlates in a Tertiary Hospital in North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Background
Chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) is a prevalent condition among older adults globally, contributing significantly to reduced quality of life, functional limitations, and healthcare burden. In low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria, the complexity of managing chronic pain is exacerbated by sociocultural factors, underreporting, and limited access to healthcare services. However, there is a paucity of local data on the prevalence and pattern of CMP in the elderly. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence, pattern, and sociodemographic correlates of chronic musculoskeletal pain among older adults attending a tertiary hospital in North Central Nigeria.

Methods
This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted at the General Outpatient Clinic of the Federal Medical Centre, Bida, between September and November 2022. A total of 244 elderly participants aged ≥ 60 years were recruited using systematic random sampling. Data were collected via interviewer-administered questionnaires, including sociodemographic characteristics and pain-related variables. Analysis was performed using SPSS version 24, with statistical significance set at p ≤ 0.05.

Results
The prevalence of CMP was 44.7%. Low back pain (36.7%) and knee pain (29.4%) were the most common locations, and most respondents reported mild pain intensity. There were no significant associations between CMP and any sociodemographic factors. However, significant associations were found between CMP and the use of analgesics (p < 0.001), herbal remedies (p < 0.001), and other alternative treatments (p < 0.001).

Conclusion
CMP is highly prevalent among elderly patients in this setting. While sociodemographic factors showed no significant associations, analgesic and alternative therapy use was widespread. Targeted, culturally sensitive interventions are essential to improve pain management outcomes in this population.