Musculoskeletal pain and smoking in Norway.

OBJECTIVE To examine the association between musculoskeletal pain and smoking. DESIGN Cross sectional, national interview survey. SETTING All individuals in a representative sample of households in Norway in 1985. SUBJECTS A total of 6681 persons aged 16 to 66 years old. people in institutions were not included. OUTCOME MEASURES Gender specific and age specific prevalence rates for pain in the cervical region/upper limbs, back, and lower limbs. RESULTS Current smoking was independently associated with musculoskeletal pain (odds ratio (OR) 1.69; 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.45, 1.97) after adjustment for gender, age, comorbidity, mental distress, lifestyle factors, and occupation related factors. The association was of similar strength regarding cervical/upper limb pain (OR 1.87; CI 1.56, 2.25) and back pain (OR 1.84; CI 1.50, 2.25) but weaker in respect of lower limb pain (OR 1.37; CI 1.10, 1.71). Musculoskeletal pain was often present in more than one site. CONCLUSION Smoking was significantly associated with musculoskeletal pain after adjustment for other relevant factors.