Musculoskeletal pain (3 areas) is assessed in the following areas:

1. Axial (neck or back)
2. Upper extremity (hands, wrists, or fingers)
3. Lower extremity (hip or hip joint including buttock, groin, and side of upper thigh; knees including the back of knee; feet)

Participants are first asked the following question:

Since the last interview on [last interview date], have you had pain or aching in any of your joints on most days for at least one month?

Those who answer affirmatively are asked the following questions:

Since the last interview, have you had [#1-5 below] on most days for at least one month?

1. pain in your neck or back
2. pain in or around either hip joint including the buttock, groin, and side of the upper thigh
3. pain in or around the knees including the back of the knee
4. pain or aching in either of your feet
5. pain or aching in either of your hands, wrists, or fingers

This variable ranges from 0 to 3 and is the number of areas affected by pain.