A British study has determined that there is a correlation between childhood intelligence and chronic widespread pain (CWP) in adulthood

About 10% - 15% of adults report CWP, a common musculoskeletal complaint that tends to occur more frequently among women and those from disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds. CWP is a core symptom of fibromyalgia and is one of the most common reasons for consulting a rheumatologist. One psychological factor that could potentially be a risk factor for CWP in adult life is lower cognitive ability in youth. CWP was found among 14.4% of the research participants. Men and women with CWP scored significantly lower on the test of intelligence at age 11. They were also more likely to have manual jobs, to be a current or ex-smoker, to have a higher body mass index, and to report higher levels of psychological distress. The study concluded that men and women with lower intelligence at age 11 are more likely to report CWP.