Table 4.
Description of all included papers (Q questionnaire, I interview, E examination, n final sample size, R response rate)
| First author [ref], country, year | Study population | Mode of collection | Final sample size, crude response ratea | Definition of neck pain and duration | Prevalence period | Prevalence (95% CI)b | Quality score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mäkelä [46], Finland, 1991 | Two-stage cluster sample, population register, Finland 30+ years |
Q + I + E |
n=7,217 R=90% |
Lifetime experience of pain in the neck or shoulder [Neck] pain during the month preceding the examination |
Lifetime Month |
♂+ ♀: 71 ♂+ ♀: 41.1 |
4 |
| Cote [21], Canada, 1998 | Stratified sample, Saskatchewan, Canada 20–69 years |
Postal Q |
n=1,133 R=52%c |
‘In your lifetime have you ever experienced neck pain?’ (6-month. Probably derived from chronic pain questionnaire) ‘Do you have neck pain at the present time, that is right now?’ |
Lifetime 6 months Point |
♂+ ♀: 66.7 (63.8–69.5) ♂: 47.2 (42.2–51.5) ♀: 58.8 (54.8–62.7) ♂+ ♀: 54.2 (51.4–56.5) ♂+ ♀: 22.2 (19.7–24.7) |
6 |
| Aoyagi [2], Japan, 1999 | All community dwelling people 40–85 years (The MBJ study) Mitsugi, Japan 60–79 years |
E + Q |
n=2,600 R=15%c |
‘Which of your joints have ever been painful, swollen, aching, or tender on most days for at least one month (currently of in the past)?’ + response box [Neck] | Lifetime | 60–69 years ♀: 17c 70–79 years ♀: 35c 60–79 years ♀: 17c |
2 |
| Lau [38], Hong Kong, 1996 | Door to door in two housing blocks. All adults in every household. Hong Kong >30 years |
I |
n=800 R=70% |
Neck pain lasting for a day or more... preceding year + mark on a drawing | Lifetime Year |
♂: 31 ♀: 27 ♂+ ♀: 29c ♂: 15 ♀: 17 ♂+ ♀: 16c |
3 |
| Brattberg [12], Sweden, 1989 | ‘Randomly selected’ Sweden 18–84 years |
Postasl Q + Telephone I/Q |
n=827c R=82%c |
‘Do you have/have you ever had any pain or discomfort in any part of your body?’ | Lifetime | ♂+ ♀: 26.2c | 4 |
| Reyes-Llerena [57], Cuba, 2000 | Door to door interviews, Santa Catalina, Cuba ‘Adults’ | I + E |
n=300 R=100% |
Musculoskeletal pain with no trauma, either present or past | Lifetime | ♂+ ♀: 14.2 | 2 |
| van der Donk [63], Holland, 1991 | Population survey 1975–78, Dutch town of Zoetemer, Holland 20–65 years |
Postal Q + E |
n=5,440 R=78%c |
Ever had neck pain Currently suffering from pain in the neck |
Lifetime Point |
♂: 9.6c ♀: 17.7c ♂+ ♀: 13.8c |
3 |
| Wigley [68], Tokelau Islands, 1987 | All migrants (exclusively pregnant women), Tokelau/New Zealand 15+ years |
I + E |
n=1381 R=100% |
‘Have you ever had pain or swelling in your joints, neck, or back?’ | Lifetime | ♂: 2.5 ♀: 1.6 ♂+ ♀: 2.1c |
4 |
| Wigley [69], Tokelau Islands, 1987 | All non-migrants (exclusively pregnant women), Tokelau islands 15+ years |
I + E |
n=811 R=100% |
‘Have you ever had pain or swelling in your joints, neck, or back?’ | Lifetime | ♂: 0.3 ♀: 0.2 ♂+ ♀: 0.2 |
3 |
| Rauhala [56], Finland, 2000 | All people born in 1966 living in Northern Finland or in the capital area Finland (age not known—max 33 years) |
I/Q or postal Q |
n=5,696 R=67% |
‘Have you had pain or ache during the last year in the following regions?’...[neck and occiput] | Year | ♂: 68.1 ♀: 82.2 ♂+ ♀: 75.1 |
3 |
| Linton [42], Sweden, 2000 | Randomly selected via private company, Eskiltuna and Nykoping, Sweden 35–45 years |
Postal Q |
n=1,914 R=64%c |
‘Have you suffered from back or neck pain during the past 12 months?’ | Year | ♂: 35 c ♀: 48 c ♂+ ♀: 44 c |
5 |
| Linton [41], Sweden, 1998 | Randomly selected via private company, 3 communities, central Sweden 35–45 years |
Postal Q |
n=2,305 R=77%c |
‘Have you suffered from back or neck pain during the past 12 months?’ | Year | ♂+ ♀: 44 | 6 |
| Rajala [55], Finland, 1995 | All persons born in 1935 living in the city of Oulu, Finland 55 years |
Postal Q + I/E |
n=780 R=77% |
‘Have you had ache, pain or discomfort in the following joints or muscles during the past 12 months?’ | Year | ♂: 36.5c ♀: 47.8c ♂+ ♀: 42.8c |
4 |
| Viikari-Juntura [64], Finland, 1991 | A subsample from a previous study (‘Healthy child’ study) Helsinki, Finland mean age 36.9 years |
Q + E |
n=154 R=86% |
‘On how many days during the last 12 months they had had pain, ache, stiffness, or numbness in their neck-shoulder’...[more than 7 days] | Year | ♂: 30.5c ♀: 55.6c ♂+ ♀: 42.2c |
4 |
| Ciancaglini [20], Italy, 1999 | Random selected from census list Segrate municipality, Italy 18–75 years |
I |
n=520 R=93% |
Troublesome neck pain within the last year | Year | ♂+ ♀: 38.9 c | 3 |
| Bovim [11], Norway, 1994 | Random sample, National Register of Norway, Norway 18–67 years |
Postal Q |
n=7,648 R=77% |
‘Did you within the last year have troublesome neck pain?’ | Year | ♂: 29 (28–31) ♀: 40 (38–41) ♂+ ♀: 34.4 (33–35) |
4 |
| Palmer [54], England, 2001 | Random sample from 34 general practices and central pay records for serving members of British armed services. (England, Scotland, Wales) 16–64 years |
Postal Q |
n=12,907 R=58% |
Pain lasting a day or longer during the past 7 days or the past 12 months | Year Week |
♂+ ♀: 33.7c ♂+ ♀: 19.5c |
5 |
| Garcia [29], Spain, 1994 | Proportional, polystaged, stratified random sample, Asturias, Spain >18 years |
I + E |
n=702 R=76% |
Pain in any area of the locomotor system, with a minimum duration of one week during the 12 months prior to the interview | Year | ♂+ ♀: 24.1 (21.0–27.3) | 3 |
| Holmen [34], Norway, 2000 | YOUNG-HUNT study Norway 13–18 years |
Q |
n=8,771 R=90% |
‘Have you ever had any of these problems in the last 12 months?’...[neck–shoulder pain] | Year | ♂: 15.9c ♀: 28.6c ♂+ ♀: 22.1c |
3 |
| Lock [43], England, 1999 | Randomly selected from 4 general practices, Newcastle, England. >17 years |
Postal Q |
n=1,546 R=64% |
Substantial back, neck or shoulder problem...in the previous year (restricted their normal activities for more than one week) | Year | ♂: 18 ♀: 23 ♂+ ♀: 21 (16.5–25.5) |
4 |
| Fredriksson [28], Sweden, 1999 | All subjects from previous study (REBUS) with no known musculoskeletal disorder, County of Stockholm, Sweden 42–59 yearsc |
Q + E | Year 1993 presented:, n=783 R=62% |
Pain, ache or stiffness in the neck during the past12 months, leading to medical consultation or treatment | Year | Year 1993 presented: ♂: 11 ♀: 23 ♂+♀: 17c |
3 |
| Takala [60], Finland, 1982 | ‘Research sample’ Two municipalities, South-western Finland 40–64 years |
Postal Q + E |
n=2,268 R=93% |
Any ache, stiffness, soreness in moving, numbness, or pain during the preceding year...[fairly often, often, or continuously] + mark on drawing [neck, cervical spine, occiput] | Year | ♂: 16 ♀: 18 ♂+ ♀: 17c |
3 |
| Bergman [8], Sweden, 2001 | Representative sample population register. Halmstad + Laholm, Sweden 20–74 years |
Postal Q |
n=2,755 R=70%c |
‘Have you experienced pain lasting more than 3 months during the last 12 months?’ (chronic=persistent or regularly recurrent) | Year | ♂: 14.5 ♀: 22.9 ♂+ ♀: 16.7c |
6 |
| Niemi [52], Finland, 1997 | Five out of 11 high schools randomly chosen (grade 1 to 3) Oulu, Finland | Q |
n=714 R=86%c |
Neck or shoulder symptoms at least once a week over the past 12 months (disturbing symptoms) | Year | ♂: 10.0c ♀: 21.4c ♂+ ♀: 15.8c |
4 |
| Brochet [14], France, 1998 | Subgroup from another study (PAQUID, random selected electoral registers) Gironde, France >65 years |
I |
n=761 R=100% |
‘During the previous year, did you feel pain anywhere?’...’If yes, where?’...[neck] | Year | ♂+ ♀: 11.6 (9.2–14) | 2 |
| Woo [71], China, 1994 | Stratified random sample registered list of all recipients of old age and disability allowance, China 70+ yessars |
Q + I |
n=2,029 R=60% |
Indicate the sites of musculoskeletal pain, if any, within the past 12 months from the time of the interview | Year | ♂: 5.9c ♀: 11.8c ♂+ ♀: 8.9c |
3 |
| Isacsson [35], Sweden, 1995 | All men born in 1914 and living in Malmö, Malmö, Sweden 68 years |
Q |
n=500 R=81% |
Daily aches, pain and discomfort in the neck during the last 12 months | Year | ♂+ ♀: 8.8c | 5 |
| Jacobsson [36], Sweden, 1989 | A subsample from a previous survey, Malmö, Sweden 50–70 years |
E + Q |
n=445 R=49% |
Pain or stiffness...continuously or intermittent for more than 6 weeks during the preceding 12 months | Year | ♂: 3.0 ♀: 10.2 ♂+ ♀: 6.5 (4.2–8.8) |
3 |
| Hagen [31], Norway, 2002 | All inhabitants (HUNT study), North-Trondelag, Norway >20 years |
Postal Q |
n=51,050 R=55%c |
‘Have you during the last year continuously for at least three months suffered from pain and/or stiffness in muscles and joints?’ + mark the location | Year | ♂+ ♀: 1.5c | 5 |
| Vikat [65], Finland, 2000 | Nationally representative sample, Population register, Finland 12, 14, 16, and 18 years |
Postal Q |
n=11,095 R=76%sc |
‘Have you had neck or shoulder pain during the past half year?’...[about once a month or more] | 6 months | ♂: 33 c ♀: 52 c ♂+ ♀: 40 c |
3 |
| Chrubasik [19], Germany, 1998 | Every 71st citizen, population register of Heidelberg, Germany 18–80 years |
Postal Q |
n=1,420 R=61%c |
Experienced one or more episodes of prolonged pain in previous 6 months in neck and/or shoulder | 6 months | ♂+ ♀: 39c | 3 |
| Feldman [27], Canada, 2002 | 3 high schools (7th–9th grade), Montreal, Canada | Q |
n=502 R=53%c |
Neck and upper limb pain occurring at least once a week within the preceding 6 months | 6 months | ♂+ ♀: 32.2c | 4 |
| Birse [9], Canada, 1998 | ‘Population Laboratory’ random digit numbers Edmonton, Canada >18 years |
Telephone I/Q |
n=410 R=56%c |
Recurrent or persistent pain of six months duration or longer [=chronic pain] in the previous 6 months...If more than one site then the most troublesome site |
6 months | ♂+ ♀: 13.7c | 2 |
| Bassols [6], Spain, 1999 | Stratified sample electoral census Catalonia, Spain >18 years |
I | n=1,964, R=69%c | Any pain complaint in the last 6 months...if more than one then the most troublesome site | 6 months | ♂: 7.2c ♀: 6.7c ♂+ ♀: 6.9c |
2 |
| Hakala [33], Finland, 2002 | Nationwide adolescent health and lifestyle survey + annual classroom survey, Finland 12, 14, 16, 18 years | Postal Q | Year 2001 presented:, n=28556, R=83% c | ‘Have you ever had neck or shoulder pain during the past half year?’...[at least weekly] | 6 months | Year 2001 presented: 12 years ♂: 6 ♀: 15 14 years ♂: 12 ♀: 25 16 years ♂: 15 ♀: 36 18 years ♂: 19 ♀: 45 |
4 |
| Mikkelson [51], Finland, 1997 | Nineteen out of 21 primary schools, Lahti, Finland Mean age 9.8 years and 11.8 years |
Q |
n=1,756 R=83% |
Pain or aches [at least once a week] during the last three months in the neck + mark on a picture | 3 months | ♂: 13.7 (11.5–16.1) ♀: 16.2 (14.0–19.0) ♂+ ♀: 15.0c |
6 |
| Eriksen [26], Scandinavia, 1998 | Two cluster sample from Population registers Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden >15 years |
I |
n=4,046 R=not known by the authors |
Experienced any pain in the neck in the previous 30 days | Month | ♂+ ♀: 32 | 4 |
| Croft [23], England, 2001 | All adults registered at two family practices, South Manchester, England 18–75 years |
Postal Q | n=4,393, R=57%c | ‘Thinking back over the past month, have you had any neck pain in the areas shown which lasted for more than 1 day?’ | Month | ♂+ ♀: 30.9c | 4 |
| Urwin [62], England, 1998 | Stratified sample from three general practices, North-West England 16+ years |
Postal Q |
n=4,515 R=75% |
Experienced pain in the neck for more than one week in the past month + indicate area of maximum pain if more than one area | Month | ♂: 15c ♀: 19c ♂+ ♀: 17c |
4 |
| Hagen [32], Norway, 1997 | Randomly selected by ‘Statistics Norway’, Oslo + Nordland, Norway 20–79 years |
Postal Q |
ns=11,780 R=59% |
Presence of pain in joints, back or muscles during the previous month [Neck pain=neck/shoulders] |
Month | ♂: 12.9 ♀: 18.4 ♂+ ♀: 15.4 (14.7–16.1) |
4 |
| Wedderkopp [66], Denmark, 2001 | Stratified two-stage cluster sample of 28 state schools (primary and high schools) Odense, Denmark 8–10 years and 14–16 years |
Q |
n=1,020 R=75% |
Any neck pain at the moment, within the past week, and within the past month | Month | ♂: 4.9c ♀: 8.8c ♂+ ♀: 6.9c |
5 |
| Bredkjaer [13], Denmark, 1991 | ‘Random sample’ Denmark >16 years |
Telephone I/Q |
n=4,753 R=80% |
Pain or complaints of shoulder or neck...during the past 2 weeks | 2 weeks | ♂: 18 ♀: 29 |
4 |
| Crook [24], Canada, 1984 | Randomly selected households from group family practice unit Burlington, Canada 18–91 years |
Tel. I/Q |
n=500 (households) R=74.4c |
‘Are you or any member of your family over 18 years of age often troubled with pain?’ + ‘Have you or any family member experienced any noteworthy pain within the past 2 weeks?’ [=persistent pain in neck shoulder] |
2 weeks | ♂+ ♀: 1.7c | 3 |
| Wigley [70], China, 1994 | Subjects selected from village registers and invited to health center, North and South China 20+ years |
Q + I |
n=9,249 R=88%c |
Neck pain in past 2 weeks | 2 weeks | ♂: 1.2c ♀: 1.8c ♂+ ♀: 1.5c |
3 |
| Gordon [30], Australia, 2002 | Every third household, Telephone directory, Port Lincoln community, Australia >18 years |
Telephone I/Q |
n=812 R=50%c |
Waking pain and/or stiffness in the week preceding the survey completion | week | ♂+ ♀: 36c | 2 |
| Chopra [18], India, 2002 | Door to door interviews, Bhigwan village, India >15 years |
I |
n=4,092 R=89% |
Mark on a manikin ‘pain/swelling/stiffness/tenderness’ experienced during 7 days prior to the survey | Week | ♂: 3.4 ♀: 8.4 ♂+ ♀: 6(5.3–6.7) |
7 |
| Catala [16], Spain, 2002 | Stratified sample, Spanish National Telephone Company, Spain Age not known |
Telephone I/Q |
n=5,000 R=48%c |
Any physical pain complaints during the previous day or week + site of pain | week | ♂: 5.0 ♀: 4.2 ♂+ ♀: 4.5 |
3 |
| Chaiamnuay [17], Thailand, 1998 | Door to door interviews, three villages, Thailand 15–90 years |
I + E |
n=2,455 R=99.7% |
Current musculoskeletal pain within the last 7 days | Week | ♂: 3.0 ♀: 3.7 ♂+ ♀: 3.4 |
4 |
| Cardiel [15], Mexico, 2002 | Stratified sample, census, San Pedro, Mexico >18 years |
I/Q |
n=2,500 R=not stated |
pain in the last 7 days + location on a manikin | week | ♂+ ♀: 1.4 | 6 |
| March [48], Australia, 1998 | Random sample from electoral rolls, Northern Sydney area, Australia 65+ years |
Postal Q |
n=1,527 R=38%c |
Any long term illnesses, injuries or conditions (musculoskeletal symptoms included pain, swelling, or stiffness) | point | ♂: 36.1 ♀: 40.5 ♂+ ♀: 38.7c |
3 |
| Andersson [1], Sweden, 1993 | Random sample population register two communities Bromölla and Simrishamn, Sweden 25–74 years |
Postal Q |
n=1,609 R=89% |
‘Do you feel pain lasting for more than three months?’ | Point | ♂: 14.5 (12.1–16.9) ♀: 19.1 (16.4–21.8) ♂+ ♀: 16.8c |
7 |
| Stendig-Lindberg [59], Israel, 1998 | Sample of Israeli urban households, one adult per household, Israel 20+ years |
I |
n=773 R=not stated |
Suffered from chronic back pain, and/or neck pain | Point | ♂+ ♀: 15.9 | 0 |
| Manahan [47], The Philippines, 1985 | Door to door interviews, Southern Luzon, The Philippines 15+ years |
I |
n=1,685 R=not known by the authors |
Pain felt at present + indicated on a diagram [Neck and upper dorsal] | Point | ♂: 7.5 ♀: 6.2 ♂+ ♀: 6.6c |
2 |
| Bergenudd [7], Sweden, 1994 | Subsample from another study (Malmö Longitudinal Study), Malmö, Sweden 55 years |
E |
n=575 R=69% |
Indicate on a pain drawing | Point | ♂: 4 ♀: 9 ♂+ ♀: 6.2c |
4 |
| Badley [4], England, 1992 | Random sample, domestic rating list, Calderdale, England >16 years |
Postal Q |
n=21,889 R=87% |
‘Does anyone in your household suffer from pain, swelling or stiffness?’ + site recorded on a chart [Neck] | Point | ♂+ ♀: 5.9 (5.7–6.1) | 5 |
aCrude response rate presented or calculated (rounded to the nearest whole number)
bPresented with one decimal (if possible)
cEstimated, determined or calculated from data provided