Cross-sectional studies have reported an inverse relationship between socio-economic status and the prevalence of chronic widespread pain (CWP). However, the extent to which this relationship is explained by psychological factors is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the hypothesis that socio-economic status predicts the onset of CWP but that this relationship would be explained by psychological factors.
Arthritis Research Campaign (ARC), Epidemiology Unit, Research School of Translational Medicine, Stopford Building, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom. Kelly.davies@manchester.ac.uk