Musculoskeletal pain and health-related quality of life in Spanish health sciences university students.

Abstract

Background: University students are not exempt from physical and mental health problems. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain, central sensitization, health-related quality of life, and associated factors among health sciences students.

Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted in Spanish health sciences students using anonymous, self-administered questionnaires. Data included sociodemographic characteristics of participants, health-related quality of life (SF-12), frequency and location of musculoskeletal pain (Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, Numeric Pain Rating Scale), and central sensitization (Central Sensitization Inventory, CSI). Factors associated with the SF-12 physical and mental component summaries (PCS and MCS) were identified using multiple lineal regression analysis.

Results: Of the 338 participants, 76.3% were female. A high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain was observed, particularly in the back region (e.g., 59% reported neck pain in the past month), with higher frequency in women. The mean PCS exceeded the Spanish adult population mean for both sexes (54.6 vs. 55.9; p =0.02), whereas the mean MCS was lower than the population mean (36.7 vs. 42.8; p <0.001), even after comparing them with age- and sex-matched population standardized scores. Female sex, disability, chronic musculoskeletal pain, and CSI = 40 were associated with poorer physical health, while only CSI scores were associated with poorer mental health.

Conclusions: Health sciences students show a high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and significant deterioration in mental health. Central sensitization is strongly linked to worse outcomes. Women have poorer mental health and greater prevalence, severity, and chronification of musculoskeletal pain.