Social Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
Social Research Institute, University College London, London, UK.
BMJ Open. 2023 Apr 28;13(4):e065497. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-065497.
Epidemiological literature shows differences in chronic pain (CP) prevalence in men and women. Women are more likely to develop CP at different points of the life course, such as adolescence and old age. Less is known about the prevalence of CP by sex and the difference in prevalence during mid-life, when changes may predispose to an earlier differentiation in CP distribution. The aim of this study is to describe the difference in prevalence of CP at mid-life (ages 40-60) in men and women in the general population.
This systematic review follows Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Appropriate studies will be identified in the following databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED and PsycINFO. Two reviewers will independently screen each title and abstract. Studies eligible for data extraction will report estimates of CP prevalence for each sex, and/or a measure of the difference in prevalence between sexes. The findings will be reported in a narrative synthesis following the Social Research Council Methods Programme guidelines. A random effects meta-analysis will be conducted where the reviewers can justify combining results.
This review will summarise the prevalence of CP in men and women at mid-life, based on existing evidence. It is expected that the results will identify gaps in knowledge and areas for further research. The review will be submitted for publication in topic specific journals and disseminated to professional networks. Individual patient data are not included, so ethical approval is not required.
CRD42021295895.
流行病学文献表明，男性和女性慢性疼痛（CP）的患病率存在差异。女性在生命历程的不同阶段，如青春期和老年期，更容易患上 CP。对于 CP 的性别患病率以及中年时期患病率的差异知之甚少，因为这一时期的变化可能会导致 CP 分布更早出现分化。本研究旨在描述一般人群中年（40-60 岁）男性和女性 CP 患病率的差异。
本系统评价遵循系统评价和荟萃分析的首选报告项目（PRISMA）指南。将在以下数据库中确定适当的研究：MEDLINE、EMBASE、AMED 和 PsycINFO。两名审查员将独立筛选每个标题和摘要。符合数据提取标准的研究将报告每性别的 CP 患病率估计值，和/或报告性别的患病率差异的衡量标准。根据社会研究委员会方法计划指南，将以叙述性综合的方式报告研究结果。如果审查员可以证明合并结果是合理的，则将进行随机效应荟萃分析。
本综述将根据现有证据总结中年男性和女性 CP 的患病率。预计结果将确定知识差距和进一步研究的领域。该综述将提交给特定主题的期刊发表，并分发给专业网络。由于未包含个体患者数据，因此不需要伦理批准。
PROSPERO 注册号：CRD42021295895。
