AUTHOR=Dimino Cara , Teruya Sergio L. , Silverman Kevin D. , Mielenz Thelma J. 

TITLE=Central Obesity Is Associated With an Increased Rate of Multisite Pain in Older Adults

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 10 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2022.735591

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2022.735591

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=Objective: Central obesity has been associated with several adverse health events, but little research exists about the longitudinal effects of central obesity on having multisite pain.  The purpose of this study was to assess if central obesity, as measured by waist circumference measurement, was associated with an increased rate of having multisite pain among older adults aged 65 and older.
Design: The National Health and Aging Trends Study is a longitudinal cohort study initiated in 2011 intended to be representative of Medicare beneficiaries in the contiguous United States. 
Methods: There were 7,145 community dwelling participants included in this study. Data for this study was collected annually between 2011 and 2018. Researchers assessed if waist circumference risk level was associated with an increased rate ratio of multisite pain. Weighted data was used in a multivariable generalized estimating equation model that used a log link specified with a Poisson distribution.
Results: Participants with high risk waist circumferences (98 cm or greater and 106 cm or greater for women and men respectively) had an increased rate of 14.9% for having multisite pain than those with low risk waist circumferences (RR 1.11, 95% CI: 1.07-1.15) adjusting for gender, age, race, education, probable major depression, arthritis and multimorbidity count. 
Conclusion: Central adiposity, as measured by waist circumference, is associated with multisite pain in older adults.  While more research is needed, reducing waist circumference may prove beneficial in reducing the burden of multisite pain.