The Effect of Musculoskeletal Pain on Health-Related Quality of Life and Exercise Capacity

Abstract Objectives: To compare health-related quality of life [QOL] and exercise capacity of the individuals with mild pain not requiring medical advice and not related to any musculoskeletal disease or problem with that of no pain individuals. Methods: Fifty-two healthy individuals without a musculoskeletal system disease were enrolled to the study. Demographic data and medical statuses were recorded. Pain severity by visual analog scale and quality of life by the World Health Organization Quality of Life [WHOQOL BREF-27] assessment were evaluated. The six-minute walking test was used to measure the exercise capacity. Peripheral oxygen saturation, heart rate, leg fatigue and dyspnea were recorded before and after the six-minute walking test. Results: Forty-three percent of the participants [Group 1] had mean pain severity according to the visual analog scale 40.54 ± 2.03, while 56.7% [Group 2] did not have pain. In Group 1, the scores of the physical health, psychological health and social relationships domains of the WHOQOL BREF questionnaire were lower than Group 2 and the difference was statistically significant. While walking distance was similar in both groups, changes before and after the exercise test, dyspnea severity and perceived leg fatigue were found significantly higher in the Group 1 [p < 0.05]. A significant correlation was found between all subgroups of WHOQOL BREF and walking distance [p < 0.05]. Conclusions: Participants reporting mild pain severity have negatively impaired QOL in physical health, psychological health and social relationships, perceived dyspnea severity and leg fatigue during exercise compared with persons without pain. Additionally, QOL impairment was found in relation with pain severity and exercise capacity.