Metabolic factors like BMI linked to progression of chronic musculoskeletal pain, unravels study

A new study published in the journal of Clinical Rheumatology found that based on 10-year study, chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) was associated with female sex, older age, diabetes, greater BMI, lower diastolic blood pressure, and higher levels of cystatin C.

Through the promotion of systemic inflammation, tissue degradation, and altered pain signals, metabolic variables have a substantial impact on the onset and course of chronic musculoskeletal pain. This state makes pain pathways more sensitive and hinders tissue regeneration. While diabetes causes neuropathy and connective tissue degeneration through advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), obesity increases the mechanical load on joints.

Dyslipidemia worsens oxidative stress, which is detrimental to the health of the musculoskeletal system. Reducing pain, increasing mobility, and improving quality of life can be achieved by addressing these variables through targeted medicines, lifestyle modifications, and weight management. In order to investigate (a) the relationship between metabolic factors and chronic musculoskeletal pain, (b) metabolic predictors of CMP 10 years later, and (c) the relationship and evolution of metabolic factors across various CMP trajectory groups, Lotte Meert and team carried out this study.

This study used data from the longitudinal Doetinchem Cohort Study. This research used round 4 (2003 to 2007), which included a total of 4519 participants between the ages of 36 and 75, as the baseline. Rounds 5 (2008 to 2012) and 6 (2013 to 2017) included follow-up measurements, such as self-reported pain and metabolic factors, which were assessed either physically or through self-report. Generalized linear mixed-effects models (a), binary logistic regression analyses (b), and linear mixed-effects models (c) were employed for the three study objectives.

In multivariate logistic analysis, CMP was strongly correlated with female sex, higher age, diabetes, higher BMI, lower diastolic blood pressure, and greater cystatin Cr. 10 years later, CMP was predicted by female sex and increased BMI.

When compared to other CMP groups, the individuals who had been pain-free for 10 years had the lowest BMIs. The persistent CMP group had a higher BMI when compared to the development and recovery groups. The diastolic blood pressure of the pain-free group was greater than that of the chronic CMP group.

Cystatin C levels were greater in the persistent CMP group than in the free, developing, and recovery CMP groups. In terms of how metabolic parameters changed over time, the CMP trajectory groups showed distinct changes in BMI, glucose, and diastolic blood pressure. Overall, the findings of this study highlight the significance of metabolic variables, particularly BMI, in the development and course of CMP.

Source:

Meert, L., Picavet, H. S. J., Vervullens, S., Meeus, M., Van Kuijk, S. M. J., Verschuren, W. M. M., & Smeets, R. J. E. M. (2024). Exploring the association of metabolic factors and chronic musculoskeletal pain over a period of 10 years – the Doetinchem Cohort Study. In Clinical Rheumatology. Springer Science and Business Media LLC. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10067-024-07251-5