Occurrence of combined pain in the lumbar spine, pelvic girdle and pubic symphysis among pregnant women in the extreme south of Brazil.

Rodrigo Dalke Meucci,Juraci Almeida Cesar,Paula Pizzato,Daniele Ramos De Lima,Stephanie Jesien,Ewerton Cousin,Aline Henriques Perceval,Priscila Arruda Da Silva,Luana Patrícia Marmitt

doi:10.1590/1980-549720200037

Abstract

To estimate the prevalence and characterize the occurrence of low back pain (LBP), posterior pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) and pubic symphysis pain (PSP) among pregnant women resident in Rio Grande, RS. This was a cross-sectional study of all postpartum women who gave birth in 2016. Two pictures were used to investigate the presence of LBP, PPGP and PSP, both isolated and combined. Multinomial logistic regression was used to evaluate the factors associated with each symptom. LBP was reported by 42.2%, PSP by 4.9%, and PPGP by 2%, while LBP + PSP was reported by 9%, LBP and PPGP by 2.8% and PPGP + PSP by 1.1%, and pain in all three regions was reported by 3.9% of the sample. The more advanced the age of the pregnant women, the risk for LBP and of LBP combined with one of the pelvic girdle regions was reduced, while the risk for PPGP + PSP was increased. Depression during pregnancy increased the risk for all symptom combinations. This study provided a detailed description of the occurrence of the evaluated outcomes and its associated factors. Studies like this are rare in Brazil, especially a census with low rates of losses and refusals. The high prevalence of the evaluated symptoms suggests that it should be investigated routinely in prenatal care, taking into account the age of the pregnant women, depressive symptoms and those experiencing combined or intense pain.

Highlights

Musculoskeletal pain is one of the most common problems related to pregnancy
Two pictures were used to investigate the presence of low back pain (LBP), posterior pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) and pubic symphysis pain (PSP), both isolated and combined
LBP was reported by 42.2%, PSP by 4.9%, and PPGP by 2%, while LBP + PSP was reported by 9%, LBP and PPGP by 2.8% and PPGP + PSP by 1.1%, and pain in all three regions was reported by 3.9% of the sample

Summary

Introduction

Musculoskeletal pain is one of the most common problems related to pregnancy. More than two thirds of pregnant women experience low back pain and almost a fifth suffer from pelvic pain. The two conditions can occur separately or together (low back and pelvic pain) and tend to increase as the pregnancy progresses[3 ]. About 30% of all women who report low back pain during pregnancy have symptoms severe enough to compromise their daily activities, affect quality of life and require frequent rest periods, causing them to leave work[1]. These symptoms experienced during pregnancy influence the birth and can limit mobility in childbirth and increase the risk of interventions, and are often the reason for requesting a cesarean delivery, as well as being related to the early induction of childbirth. For half of symptomatic pregnant women, the pain persists for one year, while for 20% the symptoms persist for up to three years2,4 - 7

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