Low back pain in pregnancy: Prevalence among south Indian population

Abstract

Females during pregnancy commonly encounter back pain at some point of time. Unfortunately, this symptom is quiet carried away and often neglected by the health care providers. Low back pain in pregnancy can have a significant impact both psychologically and physiologically as well. In the present study we intended to find out the prevalence rate for this symptom among the South Indian population by formulating a questionnaire proforma. There was a 27.82 % prevalence rate for low back pain in our study. Though we did not differentiate the back pain as lumbar pain and pelvic girdle pain, quiet a majority of the patients (40%) were facing mild to moderate disabilities because of the pain. The mean duration at the onset of the symptoms was 26 weeks of pregnancy. The mean age of the patients with low back pain was 26 years.Identification of the back pain symptoms during pregnancy is needed so as to assess and provide proper management to such patients.