Leg pain in the rural Iowa 65+ population. Prevalence, related factors, and association with functional status.

Research tabulating the existence and effects of pain and related factors in the elderly is lacking, in spite of the continued growth of the aged population. Leg pain, in particular, may interfere with activities and interpersonal interactions. This study of 3,097 rural elderly examines the prevalence of complaints of leg pain and related factors in a geographically-defined population. Findings indicate that leg pain is clearly a common experience which impacts daily activities of the elderly.