EPIPAIN - Survey from 1995

The individuals in this cohort were 1995 selected from 70 704 inhabitants, aged 20 to 74 years, in two healthcare districts (Halmstad and Laholm) with mixed urban and rural population. In each of the 2 municipalities every 18th man or woman were selected from the population register. Of the 3928 subjects that were selected 2425 (62%) individuals answered the basal postal survey and were considered for the study. The baseline questionnaire included questions on the experience and location of chronic pain in the musculoskeletal system, other health problems, lifestyle factors (e.g. smoking, alcohol and physical activity), and socio-demographic background factors. 2278 of the individuals in the cohort were also followed by the health care registers from 1995 to 2004. There were 147 of the subjects that in a written consent declared that they did not want to be a part of a register study. The cohort were later followed up with three additional similar questionnaires, 1998, 2003 and 2007. For a subgroup of the cohort also medical and physiological examinations were performed. Purpose: To map the prevalence and causal factors for chronic pain in the general population, and to study pain and health trends over time.