Early menarche and chronic widespread musculoskeletal complaints- Results from the HUNT study

BackgroundThere is a predominance of chronic widespread musculoskeletal complaints (WMSC) among women. Previous studies suggest an association between hormonal factors and pain. However, it is not known whether earlier age at menarche is associated with higher prevalence of chronic WMSC. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between age at menarche and chronic WMSC. MethodsData from a cross-sectional study of inhabitants 20years in Nord-TrOndelag County (HelseundersOkelsen i Nord-TrOndelag -HUNT), conducted in 1995-1997 (HUNT 2) were used. The study population comprised 32,673 women with valid information of age at menarche (exposure) and chronic WMSC (outcome data). ResultsIn total, 8986 (27.5%) women reported WMSC. The overall prevalence of WMSC was 29.7% among those with menarche 12years and 26.7% among those with menarche >12years. The prevalence of chronic WMSC was consistently higher for those with early age at menarche in all age groups. The crude odds ratio for chronic WMSC, when comparing women with age at menarche 12years to women with age at menarche >12years, was 1.16 (95% CI: 1.10-1.22). The corresponding odds ratio was 1.26 (95% CI: 1.19-1.34) when adjusted for age, education, body mass index (BMI), smoking, alcohol consumption, depression, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and parity. ConclusionIn this cross-sectional study, there was an association between early age at menarche and chronic WMSC later in life, but the difference in absolute risk was low (3%).