Burden Of Chronic Back Pain Research Articles

Understanding the burden of chronic back pain: a spatial microsimulation of chronic back pain at small area level across England.

Chronic back pain (CBP)carries a significant burden. Understanding how and why CBP prevalence varies spatially, as well as the potential impact of policies to decrease CBP would prove valuable for public health planning. This study aims to simulate and map the prevalence of CBP at ward-level across England, identify associations which may explain spatial variation, and explore 'what-if' scenarios for the impact of policies to increase physical activity(PA) on CBP. A two-stage static spatial microsimulation approach was used to simulate CBP prevalence in England, combining national-level CBP and PA data from the Health Survey for England with spatially disaggregated demographic data from the 2011 Census. The output was validated, mapped, and spatially analysed using geographically weighted regression. 'What-if' analysis assumed changes to individuals' moderate-to-vigorous physical activity(MVPA) levels. Large significant clusters of high CBP prevalence were found predominantly in coastal areas and low prevalence in cities. Univariate analysis found a strong positive correlation between physical inactivity and CBP prevalence at ward-level (R2 = 0.735; Coefficient = 0.857). The local model showed the relationship to be stronger in/around cities (R2 = 0.815; Coefficient: Mean = 0.833, SD = 0.234, Range = 0.073-2.623). Multivariate modelling showed this relationship was largely explained by confounders (R2 = 0.924; Coefficient: Mean = 0.070, SD = 0.001, Range = 0.069-0.072). 'What-if' analysis showed a detectable reduction in CBP prevalence for increases in MVPA of 30 and 60min (- 2.71%; 1, 164, 056 cases). CBP prevalence varies at ward-level across England. At ward-level, physical inactivity is strongly positively correlated with CBP. This relationship is largely explained by geographic variation in confounders (the proportion of residents that are: over 60, in low-skilled jobs, female, pregnant, obese, smokers, white or black, disabled). Policies to increase PA by 30min weekly MVPA will likely result in a significant reduction in CBP prevalence. To maximise their impact, policies could be tailored to areas of high prevalence, which are identified by this study.

Decreasing prevalence of chronic back pain in Catalonia. Analysis of the Catalan Health Survey

ObjectivesChronic back pain is one of the main health problems reported by the adult population and its prevalence is influenced by different sociodemographic, work and lifestyle-related factors. The aim of this study was to describe the trend in the lifetime prevalence of chronic back pain in the adult Catalan population between 2011 and 2018 and its associated factors. Study designCross-sectional study. Secondary analysis of a health survey. MethodsTrend in lifetime prevalence of chronic back pain by age and sex groups was estimated from the Catalan Health Survey. Association of chronic back pain with sex, age, health status, lifestyle factors, comorbidities, socio-economic and work-related variables was analysed. ResultsA total of 31,823 people were interviewed between 2011 and 2018. The prevalence of chronic back pain decreased from 29.7% to 24.2% between 2011–2014 and 2015–2018 in the total population with higher prevalence and a greater difference in women (35%–28.50%) than in men (24.2%–19.7%). Factors associated with higher prevalence of chronic back pain were female sex, older age, poor health status, smoking, alcohol consumption, insufficient physical activity, overweight or obesity, mental health problems, lower educational level or social class, dissatisfaction at workplace, poor social support and family financial problems. ConclusionsThe analysis shows a decreasing prevalence of chronic back pain from 2011 to 2018 in the adult population of Catalonia in all age groups and more significantly in women. An improvement of healthy lifestyle habits, social and occupational determinants, could have reduced the burden of chronic back pain in our community.

Chronic back pain and its association with quality of life in a large French population survey

BackgroundChronic back pain is associated with significant burden, yet few epidemiological studies have provided data on chronic back pain, its predictors and correlates in France.MethodsData were drawn from a cross-sectional survey conducted in France (n = 17,249) using computer-assisted telephone interviews. Sample age ranges from 18 to 98 with a mean of 46.39 years (SD = 17.44), and was 56.7% female. Medical conditions were assessed using the CIDI, quality of life was assessed using both the physical and mental component scores of the SF-36.ResultsOverall, 38.3% of adults reported chronic back pain. Female gender, older age, lower education, manual labor occupation, and population density were significantly associated with the distribution of chronic back pain. Chronic back pain was associated with lower scores on all SF-36 mean scores and on the Physical Composite Score and Mental Composite Score controlling for comorbid medical conditions including other types of chronic pain.ConclusionThe study highlights the burden of chronic back pain in the general population and underscores its correlation with quality of life. Such data contribute to raise awareness among clinicians and health policy makers on the necessity of prevention, early diagnosis, proper management and rehabilitation policies in order to minimize the burden associated with chronic pain.

Participation in physical activity and back pain among an elderly population in South Asia.

IntroductionGlobally, chronic back pain is one of the most commonly encountered medical conditions among an elderly population with significant bearings on health, functional mobility and general well-being.ObjectiveTo estimate the burden of chronic back pain and its association with physical activity (PA) among population aged 50 years and above in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.MethodsCross-sectional data on 8502 men and women aged 50 years and above were collected from the World Health Survey (2002). Three forms of PA were considered – vigorous physical activity (VPA), moderate physical activity (MPA) and walking. Odds ratios (ORs) of the association between self-reported back pain and VPA, MPA and walking were calculated by using generalized estimating equations.ResultsThe prevalence of back pain was, respectively, 64.8%, 19.8%, 69.5%, 40.6% and 36.2% in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. No significant association between back pain and VPA was observed among men in any of the countries. In India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the odds of suffering from back pain were, respectively, 29%, 2.5 times and 59% higher among women who almost never took MPA. In India, taking MPA for few days a week and almost never was associated with, respectively, 38% (OR=1.38; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.017–1.876) and 56% (OR=1.564; 95% CI=1.003–2.438) higher odds of reporting back pain. Walking almost never was also associated with, respectively, 83% (OR=1.829; 95% CI=1.14–2.934) and 2.9 times (OR=2.854; 95% CI=1.419–5.738) higher odds of reporting back pain among men in Nepal and Pakistan, respectively.ConclusionThough the relationship was not consistent across sex and countries, results indicate that inadequate or nonparticipation can substantially increase the likelihood of suffering from back pain among an elderly population in this region. Further research is needed to better understand this relationship and the potential of exercised-based strategies to prevent and treat back pain among elderly persons.