Suffering from widespread pain has been linked to a heightened risk of dementia and stroke, a study has found. People who regularly experi...
Suffering from widespread pain has been linked to a heightened risk of dementia and stroke, a study has found.
People who regularly experience pain across several areas of their body are 47 per cent more likely to develop Alzheimer's and 29 per cent more likely to have a stroke, researchers said.
Scientists from Chongqing Medical University in China drew on data from almost 2,500 Americans who were given physical exams, lab tests and detailed pain assessments between 1990 and 1994.
Suffering from widespread pain has been linked to a heightened risk of dementia and stroke, a study has found
Participants were divided into different groups based on how much pain they experienced during that time.
Around one in seven were found to have widespread pain, defined as experiencing pain, aching or stiffness above and below the waist, on both sides of the body, in the skull, the backbone and ribs all at the same time.
The participants were then continuously monitored for the signs of cognitive decline or clinical dementia, or a first stroke.
Results found people with widespread pain were 43 per cent more likely to have or develop any type of dementia, 47 per cent more likely to have Alzheimer's and 29 per cent more likely to have a stroke compared to those who did not have widespread pain.
The researchers said widespread pain may reflect musculoskeletal disorders which affect the joints, bones and muscles.
They concluded: 'These findings provide convincing evidence that widespread pain may be a risk factor for all-cause dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and stroke.
'This increased risk is independent of age, sex, multiple sociodemographic factors, and health status and behaviours.'
The findings were published in the journal Regional Anesthesia & Pain Medicine.
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