Abstract
The physical characteristics of postmenopausal women that are associated with upper back pain are not well-understood. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to identify the physical characteristics associated with presence and severity of upper back pain in healthy postmenopausal women. Self-reported upper back pain presence (within the previous month) and severity (numerical rating scale) were examined against the physical characteristics: height; weight; body mass index; breast size; breast ptosis; upper back extensor muscle endurance (isometric chest raise test); head, shoulder and upper back posture (photogrammetry); thoracic extension mobility (photogrammetry); bone mineral density (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA)); body composition (DXA); and thoracic kyphosis, thoracic osteoarthritis and thoracic vertebral fracture (all radiography). A multivariable logistic regression model, adjusted for age, was built using physical characteristics with a significant univariate association with upper back pain. Censored Tobit regression, adjusted for age, was used to examine each physical characteristic against upper back pain severity. Postmenopausal women (n = 119) with a mean (SD) age of 61.4 (7.0) years participated in the study. After adjusting for age, the physical characteristics independently associated with upper back pain were: height (OR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.31–0.79); and upper back extensor muscle endurance (OR: 0.46, 95%CI: 0.28–0.75). This model explained 31% of the variance in upper back pain (p<0.001). After adjusting for age, being taller and having better upper back extensor muscle endurance were associated with lower odds for upper back pain. After adjusting for age, differences in upper back pain severity were explained by upper back extensor muscle endurance (p = <0.001) and lean mass (p = 0.01). Conclusion: As a modifiable physical characteristic of postmenopausal women with upper back pain, upper back extensor muscle endurance is worth considering clinically.
Highlights
Upper back pain (UBP) describes pain in the region of the thoracic spine
Decreased bone mineral density (BMD) [2, 9]; the presence of thoracic vertebral fractures [3]; and increasing thoracic kyphosis [2, 10, 11] have been related to an increased likelihood of UBP
A total of 119 postmenopausal women with mean (SD) age 61.4 (7.0) years; height 161.4 (6.2) cm; weight 75.2 (15.2) kg; and body mass index (BMI) 28.9 (5.5) kg/m2 participated in this study
Summary
Upper back pain (UBP) describes pain in the region of the thoracic spine. It is a prevalent and disabling condition that contributes to a significantly reduced quality of life in women, following menopause [1, 2]. Decreased bone mineral density (BMD) [2, 9]; the presence of thoracic vertebral fractures [3]; and increasing thoracic kyphosis [2, 10, 11] have been related to an increased likelihood of UBP These factors have not been simultaneously examined and interpretation of findings is complicated because many of these factors change with increasing age as well as being more likely following menopause. Knowledge of modifiable factors associated with changing the risk for UBP and its severity could be used to develop preventative and treatment strategies for the condition Exploring these factors in postmenopausal women is pertinent because they represent a growing proportion of general Australian population [19]. By exploring how women with UBP differ from those without UBP on the basis of several individual physical characteristics, we aimed to highlight those most relevant in explaining the probability of UBP and those accounting for variability in the severity of UBP
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
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 callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
