Risk factors at birth, in childhood and adolescence for the onset of musculoskeletal chronic pain in adulthood: a scoping review

Objectives

Chronic pain is a common healthcare issue among adults. It is not only correlated with structural impairments; it is also strongly influenced by psychological and social factors. This study aimed to identify risk factors for the onset of musculoskeletal chronic pain in adulthood during the periods of birth, childhood and adolescence.

Methods

In order to investigate the literature on our topic of interest in detail, we decided to undertake a scoping review. We searched MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane CENTRAL, Scopus, CINAHL, Embase and PEDro. We also searched the bibliographies of relevant studies and reviews, as well as Google Scholar.

Results

A total of 169 studies were included in the analysis. Of these, 139 were conducted in Europe and the USA between January 2016 and June 2023. The female sample was larger, with 49265 patients. A total of 171 different risk factors and their definitions were identified. The most frequently reported risk factors were sexual abuse (104 cases), physical abuse (91 cases) and childhood trauma (59 cases). Other cited risk factors included family factors, psychological abuse, morbidity during childhood and socio-economic background.

Discussion

The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors present in early life that contribute to the development of chronic musculoskeletal pain in adulthood. Despite the various factors described, many studies agree that exposure to multiple risk factors, particularly adverse childhood experiences, increases the likelihood of developing chronic pain in adulthood more than exposure to a single factor.