A systematic review of risk factors associated with transitioning from regional musculoskeletal pain to chronic widespread pain

Chronic widespread pain has limited treatment options and is associated with pronounced negative individual and socioeconomic consequences. Patients with local or regional pain may be at a risk for developing chronic widespread pain. Knowledge of such risk factors can help prevent chronic widespread pain. This study systematically reviews the literature that examines risk factors associated with developing chronic widespread after developing chronic regional pain. We conducted a three-step database search in Medline. Four articles from the authors' files formed a core set of articles that were used to validate the search strategy. We conducted a systematic quality assessment of the included studies. Based on risk estimations reported in six prospective population-based studies and one retrospective study on pain, this study identified five risk factors: female sex, higher age, family history of pain, depressed mode and pain sites at baseline. As only a few studies were recovered, the impact of these factors is unclear. Spreading of pain from local or regional pain to widespread pain occurs in a large proportion of the general population. Few studies have addressed similar risk factors and the few risk factors associated with the transition from chronic regional pain to chronic widespread pain are inconsistent. Studies that focus on this transition have included few subjects and few possible risk factors. Future studies should explore more possible risk factors.