Health-related quality of life and musculoskeletal pain in health sciences university students

<p><strong>Purpose:&nbsp;</strong>To analyse the health-related quality of life and associated variables in health science university students. Secondly, to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and central sensitisation, and the differences by gender.</p> <p><strong>Methods:&nbsp;</strong>Cross-sectional study among health sciences university students, using anonymous, self-administered questionnaires (SF-12, Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ), Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NRS), Central Sensitisation Inventory (SCI)).</p> <p><strong>Results:&nbsp;</strong>Three hundred and thirty eight students were included (76.3% female; age 22.5&plusmn;4.9 years). The mean SF-12 Physical Component Summary was higher than the mean of 50 in the Spanish adult population as a whole for both female and male students (54.6 vs. 55.9; p=0.02), whereas the mean SF-12 Mental Component Summary was lower than the population mean (36.7 vs. 42.8; p&lt;0.001). These differences persisted when compared with age- and sex-matched population standardized scores.</p> <p>A high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain was observed, particularly in the back area. Pain was generalised, chronic, of moderate intensity, and more frequent in women.</p> <p>Variables associated with worse physical health were being female (B=-1.5; p=0.035), having a disability (B=-4.6; p&lt;0.001), chronic musculoskeletal pain at any site (B=-2.1; p=0.001), and a score &ge;40 on the SCI (B=-3.2: p&lt;0.001). The only variable associated with poorer mental health was the SCI score.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:&nbsp;</strong>Health sciences university students report a significant deterioration in mental health and a high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain, with symptoms of central sensitisation associated with poorer physical and mental health. Women have worse mental health and a higher prevalence, intensity and chronification of musculoskeletal pain.</p>