Background: Musculoskeletal complaints are widespread and a major public health problem in western countries. Prevention and treatment are challenges because the aetiologic factors are not fully understood. Our objective was to estimate the prevalence of and identify possible risk factors for musculoskeletal complaints.
Material and methods: A cross-sectional study including 11 566 men and 13 660 women aged 40-49 and 70-74 who completed a questionnaire in the Hordaland Health Study 1997-99.
Results: Musculoskeletal pain and/or stiffness lasting at least three months during the past year was reported by 4461 men (39 %) and 6713 women (49 %). Prevalence among women increased with age. Musculoskeletal complaints were associated with low educational attainment and smoking among both men and women 40-49 years old, and with high body mass index and low physical activity among women. Among the 70-74-year-olds, complaints were associated with low educational attainment among men and with smoking, high body mass index and low physical activity among women. A dose-response relationship between smoking and musculoskeletal complaints was found, with a stronger effect among women than men.
Interpretation: Musculoskeletal complaints were common, the prevalence higher among women than men. The results indicate that musculoskeletal complaints may be prevented or reduced by smoking cessation.