THE PREVALENCE OF CHRONIC WIDESPREAD PAIN IN THE GENERAL-POPULATION

Objective. To establish the prevalence of chronic widespread pain and associated symptoms in a general population sample. Methods. Cross sec tional postal survey of 2,034 adults in the north of England. Results. The point prevalence of chronic widespread pain was 11.2%. The sympto m was strongly associated with other somatic complaints and with measu res of depression and anxiety. Conclusion. In the general population, this cardinal symptom of fibromyalgia is common and identifies a group who are more likely also to report symptoms of fatigue and depression .