Identifying Risk Factors and Health Concerns Associated With Chronic Low Back Pain Among Northern Indians: A Community-based Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a common and significant cause of disability globally. In their lifetime, 70% to 80% of adults will have low back discomfort at some point. Even though CLBP is a very disabling disorder, information about its prevalence and associated factors is sparse in the literature OBJECTIVES: We aimed to determine the prevalence of CLBP and its risk factors among an adult population, as well as related health concerns and health-seeking behaviors. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: A tertiary care setting in Chandigarh, India from November 2017 through February 2020. METHODS: Adults of either gender who provided informed consent were included in the study. Sociodemographic and CLBP awareness data were collected using a standard questionnaire. Prevalence was expressed as proportion of sample, with 95% CI. For categorical and quantitative data, the chi squared and independent t test were utilized. Logistic regression was applied to identify significant risk variables and outcomes. A P value of <= 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: A total of 2,847 patients were enrolled, with a mean (SD) age of 38 (14) years; 61% of them were men. These patients had a CLBP lifetime prevalence of 16% (95% CI, 15-17; 457/2,847). In addition, 62% (285/457) of these patients visited their doctor/physician more than 10 times and 23% (103/457) sought the advice of 2 physicians to treat their CLBP. Increasing age (odds ratio[OR], 1.040, 95% CI, 1.032-1.049; P < 0.001), being underweight (OR, 3.315; 95% CI, 1.494-7.359; P < 0.003) and increasing pain frequency (OR, 1.616; 95% CI, 1.139–2.293; P < 0.007) were identified as potential CLBP risks. LIMITATIONS: The study was carried out in a single tertiary hospital in northern India; hence its results cannot be extrapolated. Also, we were unable to categorize CLBP based on how severe the symptoms were, such as complaint-only or debilitating. CONCLUSION: An effective, supervised program addressing the younger productive population to maintain a healthy weight, give up smoking, and encourage an active lifestyle should be implemented. KEY WORDS: Chronic low back pain, prevalence, health concerns, risk factors, public health