The prevalence and associated features of chronic widespread pain in the community using the 'Manchester' definition of chronic widespread pain

OBJECTIVE: We examine the descriptive epidemiology of chronic widespread pain using the 'Manchester' definition CWP(M) and assess psychosocial and other features which characterize subjects with such pain according to these more stringent criteria. METHODS: A population postal survey of 3004 subjects was conducted in the Greater Manchester area of the UK. RESULTS: The point prevalence of Manchester-defined chronic widespread pain was 4.7%. CWP(M) was associated with psychological disturbance risk ratio (RR) = 2.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.4-3.5), fatigue RR = 3.8, 95% CI (2.3-6.1), low levels of self-care RR = 2.2, 95% CI (1.4-3.6) and with the reporting of other somatic symptoms RR = 2.0, 95% CI (1.3-3.1). Hypochondriacal beliefs and a preoccupation with bodily symptoms were also associated with the presence of CWP(M). CONCLUSION: This definition of chronic widespread pain is more precise in identifying subjects with truly widespread pain and its associated adverse psychosocial factors. Clear associations with other 'non-pain' somatic symptoms were identified, which further supports the hypothesis that chronic widespread pain is one feature of somatization.