Female Gender Is Associated with a Higher Prevalence of Chronic Neck Pain, Chronic Low Back Pain, and Migraine: Results of the Spanish National Health Survey, 2017

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of chronic neck pain (CNP), chronic low back pain (CLBP), and migraine headache (MH) in the Spanish population and to identify sociodemographic and health-related variables associated with CNP, CLBP, and MH.

Design: Observational study.

Setting: Spain.

Subjects: A total of 22,511 persons 18 years of age or older (10,304 males and 12,207 females) who participated in the 2017 Spanish National Health Survey.

Methods: Stratified three-stage sampling was applied. CNP, CLBP, and MH were the dependent variables. The analysis was conducted separately by gender. Sociodemographic features, self-perceived health status, lifestyle habits, comorbidities, and pain features were analyzed by using logistic regression models.

Results: Females reported a higher prevalence of CNP, CLBP, and MH (P < 0.001) than males. For both sexes, anxiety and/or depression and poor self-rated health were associated with a significantly increased prevalence of CNP, CLBP, and MH. For CNP and CLBP, the identified associated factors were older age and limitations to usual activity. For CNP and MH, the most common associated factor was comorbid respiratory disease.

Conclusions: Our study identified several factors associated with CNP, CLBP, and MH in Spanish female and male adults, with potential implications for health care providers.

Keywords: Headache; Low Back Pain; Neck Pain; Observational Study; Sex.