Sociodemographic and work-related predictors of chronic lower back pain in the United States: the 2018 National Health Interview Survey data

Abstract

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to explore the current characteristics of people with chronic lower back (CLB) pain, and the sociodemographic and work-related predictors of this pain. Study designThe study design used in the study is a cross-sectional study. MethodThe 2018 National Health Interview Survey data were used. Chi-squared analysis was used to assess the sociodemographic characteristics, and logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors after multiple imputation. ResultsOf the 72,831 respondents, 25,397 had provided data on CLB pain and were eligible for this study. People with CLB pain were more likely to be obese, white, female, older than 40 years, and did not have a college degree. They were more likely to carry out less than 150 min of moderate aerobic exercise per week. Age was the sociodemographic predictor of CLB pain (P-value <0.001). After imputation and adjusting for covariates, construction and extraction and military-specific occupational groups were associated with an increased risk of CLB pain [odds ratios (OR): 1.32, confidence interval (CI): 1.10–1.59, P-value = 0.004; OR: 2.20, CI: 1.36–3.55, P-value = 0.001]. Working between 41 and 60 h/week significantly also had an increased risk of developing CLB pain (OR: 1.13, CI: 1.01–1.27, P-value 0.043; OR: 1.23, CI: 1.10–1.37, P-value <0.001). ConclusionLow socio-economic status, poor physical fitness, work-life imbalance, and the type of occupation contribute to the development of CLB pain. An improvement in preventive measures is needed to address this morbidity. More studies should be carried out to analyze the type of workplace movements that increase the risk of developing CLB.