Abstract
To investigate the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) and associated factors in the older adult Amazonia Brazilian community, a cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate 700 participants that were ≥60 years old. Pain intensity and functional disability were assessed using the Numerical Pain Scale and the Roland Morris Questionnaire, respectively, and their sociodemographic, clinical, and behavior variables were collected, i.e., age, sex, education level, socioeconomic level, anthropometric measurements, physical activity, health perception, and emotional state. The punctual prevalence rates of LBP were 42.4% (95% CI: 38.2–46.6%), and for the last 365 days, these prevalence rates were 93.7% (95% CI: 91.3–95.6%), the mean pain and functional disability scores were 6.17 ± 2.13 and 11.30 ± 6.07, and the moderate-to-severe disability was 39.7%. Pain and functional disability were associated with sex, chronic diseases, body mass index (BMI), physical activity level, health perception, and emotional level. In conclusion, the prevalence of LBP was high (for both punctual and the last 365 days), but the variables associated with being female, fewer years of schooling, sedentary behavior, diseases related to diet and the cardiovascular system, and impaired emotional levels had a higher level LBP, even though they considered themselves in good health. These findings can aid with coordinated efforts from government and health professionals to help manage and promote the prevention of LBP by considering the older adult population’s needs in the state of Amazonas.
Highlights
Low back pain (LBP) is the leading global cause of years lost due to disability and its burden is growing with the aging of the population [1]
The symptoms are often related to aging [6,7], and it is identified as a common health problem, its prevalence is little known in the older adult population [8,9]
An episode of LBP was considered as any pain between the last rib and the bottom of the gluteal folds lasting more than 24 h, preceded by 30 days without pain [2]; an episode of nonspecific LBP, which was defined as LBP that was not attributable to a recognizable or previously known specific pathology, was accepted [15]
Summary
Low back pain (LBP) is the leading global cause of years lost due to disability and its burden is growing with the aging of the population [1]. In 2015, the one-time global prevalence of activity-limiting LBP was 7.3%, which implies that 540 million people were affected by it [1]. LBP is defined by the location of the pain, typically between the lower margins of the ribs and the gluteal folds [2]. It is commonly accompanied by pain in one or both legs, and some people with LBP have associated neurological symptoms in the lower limbs [5]. The symptoms are often related to aging [6,7], and it is identified as a common health problem, its prevalence is little known in the older adult population [8,9]
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