CHRONIC BACK PAIN, LIMITATIONS ON USUAL ACTIVITIES, AND TREATMENT AMONG OLDER BRAZILIANS

Abstract

Abstract Chronic back pain is prevalent among Brazilian older adults, leading to substantial social and healthcare costs. It also disproportionately affects low-income and less-healthy people. Using the latest Brazil’s National Health Survey (PNS-2019), multivariate logistic regressions were conducted to examine how biopsychosocial factors correlate with chronic back pain, limitations on usual activities, and pain treatment (N=17,184). PNS-2019 data showed that 31.3% (95% CI 30.1-32.5) of older adults ages 65 to 112 reported back pain. Chronic back pain was positively associated with being female, having more chronic conditions, depressive symptoms, and lower education. Among those who reported having back pain, 19.2% reported that pain limited their usual activities. Higher odds of having limitations were found among older adults with three or more chronic conditions, obesity, and depressive symptoms. However, it was lower among those with higher levels of alcohol consumption. Among older adults with back pain, 69.2% received some treatment for their pain - 24.1% exercised regularly, 14.3% received physical therapy, 48.1% medications/injections, 6.1% alternative methods, and 30.7% regularly visited health professionals. Treatment was higher among women and those with higher education. The results show significant disparities in the prevalence, limitations, and treatment of chronic back pain among older adults in Brazil. The findings point to the need for prevention and treatment programs for older Brazilians with lower socioeconomic and worse health conditions.