Neck/Back Pain in the Elderly

Researchers interviewed over 4,000 twins aged 70-102 to determine the prevalence of neck and back pain and its associations with other health problems. Results showed the overall 1-month prevalence for back pain in the elderly at 15%, for neck pain 11%, and for concurrent back and neck pain 11%. Back pain and neck pain were associated with a number of other diseases and with poorer self-rated health. Back and neck pain sufferers had significantly lower scores on physical but not cognitive functioning. Researchers concluded back pain and neck pain are common, intermittent symptoms in old age and are associated with general poor physical health in old age.