Abstract
BackgroundBack pain is a global problem in terms of disability and financially, with a large burden both to the individual and to society. Back pain was previously believed to be uncommon in children. However, there is a growing body of evidence that this is not the case.ObjectivePart I of this scoping review studied risk factors of incident and episodic back pain. In this part II we aimed to identify all risk factors and triggers with unclear or mixed type back pain in young people and to identify any gaps in the literature.MethodsA scoping review design was selected to summarise the evidence, as there are many studies on “risk factors” for back pain. The scoping review followed the PRISMSA-ScR guidelines. We considered all studies that tested potential risk factors and triggers for thoracic and/or lumbar spine pain, in children, adolescents, and young adults (≤ 24 years). PubMed and Cochrane databases were searched from inception to September 2018, to identify relevant English language articles. The results regarding potential risk factors were separated into temporal precursors and bidirectional risk factors and the studies were classified by study design.ResultsOur comprehensive search strategy identified 7356 articles, of which 83 articles were considered eligible for this review (part II). There were 53 cross-sectional studies and 30 cohort studies. Potential risk factors for back pain were: female sex, older age, later pubertal status, positive family history of back pain, increased growth, and a history of back pain, most of which are temporal precursor variables. There was limited research for the illness factors, spinal posture, and muscle endurance in the development of back pain.ConclusionMany of the included studies approached risk factors in similar ways and found factors that were associated with back pain but were not obvious risk factors as causality was uncertain. Future research should be more rigorous and innovative in the way that risk factors are considered. This could be through statistical approaches including cumulative exposures, or longitudinal approaches including multi-trajectory methods. Additionally, data on proposed risk factors should be collected before the onset of back pain.
Highlights
Back pain is a global problem in terms of disability and financially, with a large burden both to the individual and to society
Many of the included studies approached risk factors in similar ways and found factors that were associated with back pain but were not obvious risk factors as causality was uncertain
Future research should be more rigorous and innovative in the way that risk factors are considered. This could be through statistical approaches including cumulative exposures, or longitudinal approaches including multi-trajectory methods
Summary
Back pain is a global problem in terms of disability and financially, with a large burden both to the individual and to society. There is a growing body of evidence that this is not the case. Back pain is a global problem in terms of disability and financial costs, with a large burden both to the individual and to society [1]. Back pain was once believed to be uncommon in young people. There is evidence that this is not the case [2, 3]. Numerous studies have attempted to investigate a myriad of potential risk factors of back pain in children and young adults. Identifying early life factors that predispose young people to back pain in later life may help identify at-risk populations and inform future prevention strategies. Prevention of back pain in adolescence could help the prevention of back pain into adulthood [4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call