Correspondence Analysis to Demonstrate the Relationship Between Musculoskeletal Pain and Body Mass Index

Background As obese people frequently experience persistent musculoskeletal pain (MSP), understanding the relationship between obesity and pain may help develop therapeutic and preventative approaches to treat discomfort from MSP. MSP can negatively impact such individuals’ quality of life and their ability to perform daily tasks. Therefore, more thorough investigations are required to fully understand the connection between obesity and MSP. Aims To assess the relationship between musculoskeletal pain(MSP) and body mass index (BMI) among women in the age group of 25 to 65 years. Methods From July to December 2022, a cross-sectional study among women between the ages of 25 and 65 was carried out near the Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC) of a medical college in the Lucknow District of Uttar Pradesh, India. In total, 443 women took part in the study. BMI was computed, weight and height were recorded, and MSP at any site (i.e., neck, shoulders, upper back, upper arms, lower back, forearms, wrists, hip/buttocks, thighs, knees, lower legs, and ankles) was noted. The data were analyzed through correspondence analysis. Results Of the 443 women that participated in the study, 224 (50.6%) had MSP, and 9.3% and 28.2% were obese or overweight, respectively. Obese and overweight women were found to be at a higher risk of upper and lower back pain. Conclusion In our study, a significant relationship between MSP and BMI was confirmed and visualized by correspondence analysis.