Frequency Of Low Back Pain Research Articles

Stressful life events and low back pain in older men: A cross-sectional and prospective analysis using data from the MrOS study.

Stressful life events, such as loss of a partner, loss of a pet or financial problems, are more common with increasing age and may impact the experience of pain. The aim of the current study is to determine the cross-sectional and prospective association between stressful life events and low back pain reporting in the Osteoporotic Fracture in Men Study, a cohort of older men aged ≥65 years. At a study visit (March 2005-May 2006), 5149 men reported whether they had experienced a stressful life event or low back pain in the prior 12 months. Following that visit, data on low back pain patients were gathered through triannual questionnaires every 4 months for 1 year. Multivariable logistic regression analyses estimated the association of stressful life events with recent past low back pain or future low back pain. N = 2930, (57%) men reported at least one stressful life event. The presence of a stressful life event was associated with greater odds of any low back pain (OR = 1.42 [1.26-1.59]) and activity-limiting low back pain (OR = 1.74 [1.50-2.01]) in the same period and of any low back pain (OR = 1.56 [1.39-1.74]) and frequent low back pain (OR = 1.80 [1.55-2.08]) in the following year. In this cohort of men, the presence of stressful life events increased the likelihood of reporting past and future low back pain. Stressful life events such as accident or illness to a partner are common in later life and may impact the experience of pain. We present cross-sectional and prospective data highlighting a consistent association between stressful life events and low back pain in older men. Further, there is evidence to suggest that this relationship is upregulated by an individual's living situation. This information may be used to strengthen a biopsychosocial perspective of an individual's pain experience.

Frequency of Low Back Pain and Its Related Functional Disability in Security Guards

Security guards are integral to many organizations today, especially in Pakistan. However, there is not much research done to discover the health problems associated with the nature of their Job. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of low back pain (LBP) in security guards in two cities in Pakistan. A cross-sectional descriptive study was designed that included male and female security guards who were residents of Islamabad, and Dera Ghazi Khan, aged between 20 and 60 years. A convenience sampling technique was used for sampling, and a total of 580 participants responded to a structured questionnaire after signing the consent form. Feedback was collected hand to hand, and the statistical analysis was done on SPSS V20. The results show that the prevalence of LBP was 74.4% in Islamabad and 65.5% in Dera Ghazi Khan. Out of the total 580 participants (290 participants from Islamabad and 290 participants from Dera Ghazi Khan), 406 participants claimed to experience LBP once, with an overall prevalence of 70.12%. Prolonged standing was the most common aggravating factor other than prolonged sitting and lying. In addition to LBP, pain in other body parts was also reported, including the knee (52.2%), shoulder (14.1%), foot (10.1%), wrist (0.17%), and neck (0.74%). We concluded that the frequency of LBP and relative functional disabilities are higher in security guards due to job ergonomics and prolonged standing.

The Frequency of Low Back Pain

The purpose of this review was to study domestic and foreign studies and update knowledge about the frequency of the low back pain (LBP) occurrence among adults. The available full-text English and Russian publications from the following databases were analyzed: PubMed, Springer, Wiley Online Library, Taylor & Francis Online, US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, ScienceDirect and eLIBRARY.RU. The search for publications was carried out by the following keywords and their combinations: low back pain; back pain; discogenic pain; neuropathic pain; lumbodynia; sacralgia; intervertebral discs pathology. The search depth is 5 years (from 2016 to 2021). 2082 publications were analyzed, 132 of them corresponded to the purpose of this study, 21 of them were full-text publications. In total, 21 studies have been analyzed over the past 5 years. In the Russian Federation and abroad. The average LBP frequency ranged from 0.05% in Israel to 83% in Sweden. Such a large spread of indicators may be due to several objective reasons: differences in the design and methods of the study; heterogeneity of samples by age (adolescents, young, adults, middle-aged and elderly); only men taking part in the study; differences in social status (students, military personnel, athletes, working pensioners). In this regard, it impossible to systematize the results of the studies analyzed by us. Our thematic review shows that LBP in modern neurology remains one of the most common pathology, despite the improvement of health care system, preventive and predictive medicine.

Association between Low Back Pain and Neck Pain: A 3-Year Longitudinal Study Using the Data of the People after the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Low back pain (LBP) and neck pain (NP) are common health problems worldwide. LBP often coexists with NP; however, the association between these pains remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to clarify the association between LBP and NP, focusing on dose-dependent effects. This study used a 3-year longitudinal cohort data of people living in disaster-stricken areas after the Great East Japan Earthquake (n = 2,118). LBP and NP were assessed at 4, 5, 6, and 7 years after the disaster. LBP was categorized according to its frequency. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the association between LBP and NP, and the effect of preceding LBP on the subsequent onset of NP, according to the frequency of LBP. LBP was significantly associated with NP, and the association was stronger with increased frequency of LBP. Adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) were 2.40 (1.71-3.37) for "1", 3.99 (2.82-5.66) for "2", and 6.08 (4.40-8.41) for "≥ 3" in frequency when the absence of LBP was used as a reference (p for trend < 0.001). Furthermore, preceding LBP was significantly associated with subsequent onset of NP, and the effect was stronger with increased frequency of LBP. Adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) were 2.44 (1.62-3.68) for "1" and 2.68 (1.77-4.05) for "≥ 2" in frequency when the absence of LBP was used as a reference (p for trend < 0.001). LBP is associated with NP in a dose-dependent manner. The association between LBP and NP should be considered to effectively treat these pains.

Low back pain is associated with sleep disturbance: a 3-year longitudinal study after the Great East Japan Earthquake

BackgroundLow back pain and sleep disturbance are common health problems worldwide which are also commonly observed among people after natural disasters. These symptoms are well known to coexist, and recent reports have indicated that sleep disturbance is a risk factor for low back pain. However, the influence of low back pain on sleep disturbance has rarely been assessed; therefore, this study aimed to clarify the association of low back pain with sleep disturbance, especially focusing on the frequency of low back pain, using 3-year cohort data after the Great East Japan Earthquake.MethodsThis study used the data obtained from people living in the disaster-affected areas after the Great East Japan Earthquake (n = 2,097). Low back pain and sleep disturbance were assessed at 4, 5, 6, and 7 years after the disaster. The frequency of low back pain was defined as the number of low back pain episodes at and before the evaluation time point and categorized into five groups such as absence, 1, 2, 3, and 4 at the fourth time point and four groups such as absence, 1, 2, and 3 at the third time point. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the association of low back pain with sleep disturbance.ResultsLow back pain was significantly associated with sleep disturbance, and the association was stronger in participants with more frequent low back pain (adjusted odds ratios [95% confidence intervals],1.46 [1.10–1.95] in “1”; 2.02 [1.49–2.74] in “2”; 2.38 [1.67–3.40] in “3”; and 4.08 [2.74–6.06] in “4” in the frequency of low back pain) (P for trend < 0.001). Furthermore, antecedent low back pain was significantly associated with new-onset sleep disturbance, and the association was robust in more frequent low back pain (adjusted odds ratios [95% confidence intervals],1.60 [1.05–2.44] in “1”; 1.96 [1.20–3.21] in “2”; and 2.17 [1.14–4.14] in “3” in the frequency of low back pain) (P for trend = 0.007).ConclusionOur study showed that low back pain is strongly associated with sleep disturbance. Attention should be paid to low back pain to prevent and treat sleep disturbance, especially focusing on chronicity of low back pain.

Associations between Online Distance Learning and Physical Activity Level with the Frequency and Intensity of Low Back Pain among University Students during the Covid-19 Pandemic

Online distance learning (ODL) during pandemic Covid-19 had increase students’ gadget usage and sitting hours per day [1, 2]. Some studies showed that the pandemic also affects the physical activity level. Yet, no studies had reported the association between these factors with frequency and intensity of low back pain among university students. Thus, the objective of this study is to determine the relationships between usages of electronic gadget and physical activity level with the frequency and intensity of low back pain (LBP) among university students during the last semester of Covid-19 Pandemic.&#x0D; In this study, 87 undergraduate students from the Health Campus USM, age between 19 and 25 years old, and followed ODL for more than one semester due to the Covid-19 pandemic had completed the online questionnaires which were disseminated through google form. The questionnaires contain three sections. The first section comprises of questions regarding demographic, duration of using electronic gadget, and experience of LBP. The second section comprises of the International Physical Activity Questionnaires (IPAQ) to determine the participants’ PA level and the third section comprises of the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) to record the intensity of low back pain, if any.&#x0D; Descriptive analysis and Pearson correlation (SPSS vs. 26.0) were used to analyse the data. On average, participants spend 8.60 ± 3.58 hours per day for gadget use during ODL in the last semester. The average sitting hours per day was 7.40 ± 8.01 hours. IPAQ analysis revealed that majority of the participants are moderate-high physically active. No significant correlations were found between hours of gadget usage and PA level (p=0.230) as well as between PA level and intensity (p=0.0787) and frequency (p=0.099) of LBP. Furthermore, there was also no significant correlation (p=0.123) between hours of gadget usage and intensity of LBP. However, there was a significant correlation (p=0.041, r=0.219) between duration of gadget usage and frequency of LBP.&#x0D; Hours of gadget usage among the students was positively correlate with the frequency of LBP. Although the intensity of LBP was not significantly affected, the problem might worsen in the future if the students continue with the long sitting hours per day during ODL. Thus, appropriate awareness and campaign should be given to the students to avoid such problem.

Filing a Workers' Compensation Claim for Low Back Pain and Associated Factors: Analysis of 2015 National Health Interview Survey.

The aim of this study was to examine the degree of reporting work-related low back pain (LBP) by workers' compensation (WC) claim filing and associated factors among US workers. We conducted multivariable logistic regression using the 2015 National Health Interview Survey data. Among 1203 US workers with self-reported work-related LBP diagnosis, only 19.6% filed for WC. Compared with non-Hispanic White workers, Black, Asian, and Hispanic workers were less likely to file for WC. Workers' compensation filing was less frequent among workers in independent work arrangement and who stopped working, changed jobs, or made a change in work and more frequent among workers 45 to 64 years of age and having high LBP frequency. Our study findings suggest underreporting of work-related LBP to the WC system is common. Barriers to WC filing should be addressed especially for racial/ethnic minorities and independent workers.

Association of lumbar disc degeneration with low back pain in middle age in the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966

BackgroundAlthough it has been suggested that lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) is a significant risk factor for low back pain (LBP), its role remains uncertain. Our objective was to clarify the association between LDD and LBP and whether mental distress modifies the association.MethodsParticipants of a birth cohort underwent 1.5-T lumbar magnetic resonance imaging at the age of 47. The association between the sum score of LDD (Pfirrmann classification, range 0–15) and LBP (categorized into “no pain”, “mild-to-moderate pain”, “bothersome-and-frequent pain”) was assessed using logistic regression analysis, with sex, smoking, body mass index, physical activity, occupational exposure, education, and presence of Modic changes and disc herniations as confounders. The modifying role of mental distress (according to the Hopkins Symptom Check List-25 [HSCL-25], the Beck Depression Inventory and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale) in the association was analyzed using linear regression.ResultsOf the study population (n = 1505), 15.2% had bothersome and frequent LBP, and 29.0% had no LBP. A higher LDD sum score increased the odds of belonging to the “mild-to-moderate pain” category (adjusted OR corresponding to an increase of one point in the LDD sum score 1.11, 95% CI 1.04–1.18, P = 0.003) and the “bothersome-and-frequent pain” category (adjusted OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.10–1.31, P < 0.001), relative to the “no pain” category. Mental distress significantly modified the association between LDD and LBP, as a linear positive association was consistently observed among individuals without mental distress according to HSCL-25 (adjusted B 0.16, 95% CI 0.07–0.26, P < 0.001), but not among individuals with higher mental distress.ConclusionsLDD was significantly associated with both mild-to-moderate and bothersome-and-frequent LBP. However, the co-occurrence of mental distress diminished the association between LDD and LBP bothersomeness. Our results strongly suggest that mental symptoms affect the pain experience.

How age and body mass index are the highest risk for low back pain

Low Back Pain (LBP) is one of the foremost common musculoskeletal disorders within the community. At slightest around 80% of the world's populace has experienced LBP at slightest once. Risk factors that can cause LBP are Age and Body Mass Index. The purpose of this study was to decide whether the risk factors of Age and Body Mass Index (BMI) were related to the frequency of LBP at the Cempaka Putih District Health Center. This research uses case control method. The results of this study indicate that the results of the Mann Whitney statistical test showed that there was a significant difference in the mean between the LBP and Normal groups on the variables of age and body mass index (p-value < 0.001). ROC analysis illustrates that age and BMI variables are included in the poor category in predicting the incidence of LBP (Area 0.60 – 0.70; p-value < 0.001). The cut-off value (rounded) of the risk of LBP incidence for age is 48 years. and for the body mass index is 25 kg/m2 . The results of the Pearson Chi Square with Yates Correction statistical test concluded that there was a significant relationship between a minimum age of 48 years and a minimum BMI of 25 kg/m2 on the incidence of Low Back Pain (p-value < 0.001) with the risk magnitude of the age variable being 3,430 (1,974 - 5.960) and variable BMI of 3.195. The results of the diagnostic test showed that the diagnostic ability of the age variable was sens 65.31; spec 64.57; PPV 58.72; NPV 70.69 – and the diagnostic ability of the variable body mass index is sens 61.22; species 66.93; PPV 58.82; NPV 69.11. The conclusion of this study shows that there is a relationship between age and BMI with the incidence of LBP at the Cempaka Putih District Health Center.

Association Between Family History of Surgically Treated Low Back Pain and Adolescent Low Back Pain.

Cross-sectional. To study the associations between a family history of surgically treated low back pain (LBP) and adolescent LBP. A family history of LBP is related to adolescent LBP, but whether a family history of back surgery is relevant to adolescent LBP is not known. A subpopulation of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 was contacted when they were aged between 18 and 19years. The postal questionnaire asked the participants to report their LBP and a relative's (mother, father, sibling) LBP and back surgery, and to provide data on potential covariates. The association between a family history of LBP ("no family history of LBP," "family history of LBP but no surgery," and "family history of LBP and surgery") and adolescent LBP (no LBP, occasional LBP, and frequent LBP) were evaluated using logistic regression analysis with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusted for sex, smoking, and psychological distress. Of the 1374 adolescents in the study, 33% reported occasional LBP and 9% frequent LBP. Both the "family history of LBP but no surgery" and "family history of LBP and surgery" categories were associated with frequent LBP (adjusted OR [aOR] 2.09, 95% CI 1.38-3.16; aOR 2.23, 95% CI 1.02-4.90, respectively). Occasional LBP was associated with the "family history of LBP and surgery" category. A subgroup analysis of adolescents with a family history of LBP found no statistically significant associations between family history of back surgery and adolescent LBP. Our findings suggest that adolescents who report a family history of LBP have higher odds of frequent LBP irrespectively of a family history of back surgery.Level of evidence: 4.

Factors associated with intensity and frequent low back pain in high school students

Introduction: Low back pain is frequent among schoolchildren and the variables related to high intensity and high back frequency are important predictors for the increase of such complaints in adulthood. Objective: To determine the high intensity and high frequency of low back pain and its associated factors in high school students. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 760 students (319 boys and 441 girls) who reported low back pain. Demographic, socioeconomic, electronic devices, habitual physical activity practice, mental health, and high frequency and high intensity low back pain data were collected. Descriptive analyzes and bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used. Results: Of the total number of subjects with low back pain, 14.6% reported high frequency of pain, being 36.9% boys and 63.1% girls, while 42.6% reported high intensity, being 35.8% boys and 47.2% girls. The variables associated with the high frequency of low back pain were altered mental health, posture lying on the use of tablet, time of daily use of the cell phone and distance of the screen to the eyes of the computer user, while the female sex, mental health problem, posture lying on the use of cell phone and the distance of the screen to the eyes of the computer user with severe intensity of low back pain. Conclusion: The demographic factors and related to the use of electronic devices were associated with high intensity and high frequency of low back pain.

Attitudes and beliefs of older adults with acute low back pain: 12-month results from the Brazilian cohort back complaints in the elders.

Psychosocial factors have been identified as important predictors of onset, course and persistence of low back pain (LBP) in the general population. To identify factors associated with attitudes/beliefs in older adults with LBP throughout a 12-month follow-up. A longitudinal investigation was conducted with 500 participants aged ≥60 years reporting a new (acute) episode of nonspecific LBP. Data were obtained at baseline, 6-week, 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-month interviews. The study variables were: [dependent] LBP-related attitudes/beliefs that were assessed by the Back Beliefs Questionnaire (BBQ); [independent] age; sex; LBP intensity 'at-the-present-time' of interview and 'over-the-past-week' before interview; LBP frequency; LBP-related treatments; disability; mobility; depressive symptoms; self-perceived recovery; expectation of pain improvement; and expectation for returning to activities. Data were analysed by multiple linear regression analysis. At baseline, 85.7% of the participants were female, had mean age of 69.0 (6.3) years, mean BBQ score of 24.5 (6.5), and 79.6% reported pain complaints after an acute episode of LBP. After 12 months, participants maintained a mean BBQ score of 24.6 (6.6) and 63.3% still reported pain complaints after an acute episode of LBP at baseline. Multivariate analysis showed that disability, advancing age, poor expectation of pain improvement in 3 months, and mobility decline were significantly associated with worse BBQ scores during all follow-ups. Ageing, hopelessness, and physical and functional impairment impact pain-related behaviours among older patients seeking healthcare due to acute LBP complaints. Their screening may assist in strategies to manage symptoms and prevent the persistence of pain.

Frequency of LBP in pregnant women affecting activities of daily living

Background: Low Back Pain (LBP) affects many pregnant women. Pain is often associated with varying degrees of functional limitations, causing pregnant women to carry out many everyday activities.&#x0D; Methodology: A cross-sectional study design was used to collect data with a sample size of 135 pregnant women. Functional status was measured by using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). ODI is a 10-item questionnaire, which was developed to identify functional limitations due to LBP. Each item is scored between 0 and 5, thus giving a final score expressed as a percentage. Collected data were analyzed through SPSS version 16.0.&#x0D; Results: Out of 135 females, 133(98.5%) were with LBP. Among 133 females with LBP, 100(75.2%) have a minimal disability, 30(22.6%) have a moderate disability, and 3(2.3%) females have a severe disability.&#x0D; Conclusion: LBP is common in pregnant women and causes functional limitations that affect women's daily activities and independence. Mostly women were not aware of proper treatment techniques for LBP. Physiotherapy played a vital role to minimize LBP and further pregnancy-related complications.

Síndrome de dolor lumbar agudo no traumático de origen renal: cólico renoureteral

The most frequent low back pain syndrome of renal origin is the renal-ureteral colic (RUC), secondary to ureteral lithiasis in 90% of cases. In emergency unit, proper management and the knowledge of complication criteria are mandatory. The pain in RUC and remaining acute renal pathologies is originated by the distention or irritation of the renal capsule. Regarding colic pain, it is caused by the release of vasodilators in response to offset the fall in glomerular filtration rate due to renal hypertension. Complication criteria are: fever, acute renal failure, incoercible pain (despite stepped analgesia) and urinoma. Diagnosis is clinical. If complication is suspected imaging tests are required. Analgesics of choice are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Urgent urinary diversion with ureteral catheter or percutaneous nephrostomy is a priority in complicated cases.

Is diversity of leisure-time sport activities associated with low back and neck-shoulder region pain? A Finnish twin cohort study.

This study investigates cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between the diversity of leisure-time sport activities and the frequencies of low back pain (LBP) and neck-shoulder region pain (NSP) in twins, including a cross-sectional within-pair design to adjust for potential familial confounding.Finnish twins born in 1975–79 (FinnTwin16 study) reported participation in leisure-time sport activities at the mean ages of 17 (1992–96) (n = 5096, 54% females) and 34 years (2010−12) (n = 3731, 57% females). Diversity assessed as the number of sport activities was categorized as 1, 2, 3, 4, and ≥ 5, excluding inactive individuals. The frequencies of LBP (n = 3201) and NSP (n = 3207), reported at age 34, were categorized as never/seldom, monthly, or weekly pain. Cross-sectional and longitudinal individual-based associations between the number of sport activities and the frequency of LBP and NSP were investigated with multinomial logistic regression analyses, adjusting for multiple confounders. Cross-sectionally, participation in ≥5 sport activities, compared to 1 sport, was associated with significantly less weekly LBP (OR = 0.63, 95%CI = 0.43–0.90), but not with NSP. Longitudinally, participation in several sport activities in adolescence had no significant association with LBP or NSP in adulthood. Cross-sectional within-pair analyses were conducted among twin pairs discordant for LBP (n = 507) and NSP (n = 579). The associations between monozygotic and dizygotic twin pairs were similar in LBP-discordant pairs but differed within NSP-discordant pairs.Participation in ≥5 sport activities in adulthood may be associated with less weekly LBP, but not with monthly LBP or the frequency of NSP. However, within-pair analyses for NSP suggest confounding due to shared familial factors.

Back Pain and Outcomes of Pregnancy After Instrumented Spinal Fusion for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

We hypothesized that women undergoing scoliosis surgery who became pregnant would go to full term, have uncomplicated pregnancies, and similar patient-reported outcome measures than non-pregnant patients and healthy controls. Two hundred five women with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) undergoing scoliosis surgery between 1998 and 2015 at several institutions in 1 country and 173 healthy women, without AIS, parous and nulliparous, were selected at random. One hundred eight women with scoliosis surgery and no pregnancy (SNP), 97 women with scoliosis surgery and pregnancy (SP), 91 healthy controls and no pregnancy, and 82 healthy controls and pregnancy (HP) were reviewed. Mean follow-up was 5 years in the SNP, 6 years in the SP, 5 years in the healthy controls and no pregnancy, and 5 years in the HP. The average time from surgery to childbirth was 5 years. Back pain (BP) during pregnancy was observed in 48% of the SP and 34% of the HP. BP after childbirth was present in 43% of the SP and 42% of the HP. Patients fused to L3 or L4 experienced more frequent low BP during pregnancy (40%) than those fused above L3 (P < 0.05). Cesarean section (CS) was performed for 64% and 33% in SP and HP, respectively (P < 0.05). As the lowest instrumented vertebra moved caudal to L4, the frequency of CS increased (P < 0.05; R= 0.8). The majority of CS in SP were performed in patients fused to L4 (55%) versus patients fused above and to L3 (45%) (P < 0.05). The most common analgesia for CS was spinal block (75% in SP and 86% in HP). Patients fused to L4 required general anesthesia significantly more often (7%) versus those fused above L4 (4%, P < 0.05). The health-related quality of life after spinal fusion showed general satisfaction and were similar for SNP and SP (mean 3.84 and 3.91, respectively). No sexual dysfunction was reported. Women with a history of spinal fusion for AIS fused to L3 or L4 reported a higher incidence of low BP, and CSs are more frequently required. This risk increased to 55% when spinal fusion to L4 was performed. The quality of life and sexual function were at the same level in women after scoliosis surgery than in healthy controls.

Low back pain in Brazilian medical students: a cross-sectional study in 629 individuals.

Low back pain (LBP) is a common problem in the general population. Medical students may be at risk of LBP because of demanding curricula. To study the prevalence of LBP in Brazilian medical students and the associated factors. Six hundred twenty-nine medical students (72.8% females, mean age of 23years old) answered a questionnaire containing epidemiological data; data on presence and frequency of LBP, use of painkillers, and LBP interference in daily activities; number of sitting and exercising hours/day, posture habits. They also filled a VAS (or visual analogic scale) on the own perception of anxiety, depression, fatigue, and the Roland Morris functional questionnaire for LBP. In this sample, 81.7% had periods of recurrent LBP that was more common in females (77.6% vs 51.3%; p < 0.0001) and associated with bad posture habits (p < 0.0001). Number of sitting hours, exercising, and study period at school could not be associated with LBP. The mean Roland Morris result was 4.0; IQR = 2-7 and its value showed a modest correlation with VAS of anxiety (rho = 0.21) and depression (rho = 0.33). LBP interfered with social activities in 20.5%, with physical activities in 33.1%, and in school activities in 29.2%. There is a high prevalence of LBP in medical students, mainly females, associated with bad posture habits. Physical dysfunction for LBP showed correlation with anxiety and depression.

Bir hastanenin fizik tedavi ünitesine başvuran bel ağrısı şikâyeti olan hastaların irdelenmesi

Introduction: This study analyzes factors influencing low back pain in patients admitted to the physiotherapy unit of an education and research hospital. Methods: The study sample included 102 patients who applied to the physiotherapy unit and volunteered to join the study. The data were collected using a 23-items questionnaire created by the authors based on a review of the literature. The data were entered into the SPSS Program For comparisons, p values below 0.05 were deemed to be statistically significant. Results: The mean age of the participants was 46.7±14.4 years. By occupation, low back pain was most common among housewives. Of the patients who suffered from lower back pain, 57.8% were overweight or obese. Of those experiencing lower back pain, 73.5% were standing for long time periods, and 67.6% were lifting heavy loads. Of the patients, 69.6% had lower back pain in their families, and 29.4% of the family members with lower back pain were their mothers.Of the patients, 70.6% received drug therapy for the pain. The frequency of low back pain among patients who did not receive drug therapy was higher than that of the patients who received pain medications (p&amp;lt;0.05). Of the patients who had low back pain attacks 11 times or more in a year, the percentage of smokers was 66.7%, while this rate was 35.7% among nonsmokers (p&amp;lt;0.05). The increase in low back pain with body mass index was not statistically significant (p&amp;gt;0.05). Conclusion: Patients applied to the hospital due to low back pain report lifting heavy loads or prolonged standing. Smoking increases the frequency of low back pain. Patients with low back pain also tend to have family members with the condition. With appropriate measures to reduce risk factors, the frequency of low back pain, which hinders daily life activities, can be reduced.

Effects of Whole-Body Electromyostimulation on Low Back Pain in People with Chronic Unspecific Dorsal Pain: A Meta-Analysis of Individual Patient Data from Randomized Controlled WB-EMS Trials.

In order to evaluate the favorable effect of whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) on low back pain (LBP), an aspect which is frequently claimed by commercial providers, we performed a meta-analysis of individual patient data. The analysis is based on five of our recently conducted randomized controlled WB-EMS trials with adults 60 years+, all of which applied similar WB-EMS protocols (1.5 sessions/week, bipolar current, 16–25 min/session, 85 Hz, 350 μs, and 4–6 s impulse/4 s impulse-break) and used the same pain questionnaire. From these underlying trials, we included only subjects with frequent-chronic LBP in the present meta-analysis. Study endpoints were pain intensity and frequency at the lumbar spine. In summary, 23 participants of the underlying WB-EMS and 22 subjects of the control groups (CG) were pooled in a joint WB-EMS and CG. At baseline, no group differences with respect to LBP intensity and frequency were observed. Pain intensity improved significantly in the WB-EMS (p < .001) and was maintained (p = .997) in the CG. LBP frequency decreased significantly in the WB-EMS (p < .001) and improved nonsignificantly in the CG (p = .057). Group differences for both LBP parameters were significant (p ≤ .035). We concluded that WB-EMS appears to be an effective training tool for reducing LBP; however, RCTs should further address this issue with more specified study protocols.

Association Between the Plasma Levels of Mediators of Inflammation With Pain and Disability in the Elderly With Acute Low Back Pain

Cross-sectional study with subsample of elderly women with acute low back pain (LBP), from Back Complaints in the Elders-Brazil (BACE-Brazil) To investigate the association between plasma levels of mediators of inflammation (interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and soluble TNF receptor 1 (sTNF-R1)) with pain and disability experienced by elderly women with acute LBP. Among the elderly, LBP is a complaint of great importance and can lead to disability. Inflammatory cytokines are elevated in painful conditions, and may promote pain. We included 155 community-dwelling elderly women (age ≥ 65 yr), who presented with a new (acute) episode of LBP. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to measure TNF-α, sTNF-R1, IL-1β, and IL-6. Disability was assessed using the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire; pain was assessed using the McGill Pain Questionnaire. Linear regression models were fit with each pain and disability outcome as dependent variables: Present Pain Intensity; Qualities of pain; Severity of pain in the last week; LBP frequency and disability. Depressive symptoms and IL-6 were associated and explained 20.9% of "qualities of pain" variability. TNF-α, sTNFR1, education, body mass index, and depressive symptoms explained 8.4% of "Severity of pain in the past week" variability. TNF-α, education, BMI, depressive symptoms, present pain intensity, qualities of pain, and LBP frequency explained 48.6% of "disability." No associations between inflammatory cytokines and "present pain intensity" and "LBP frequency" were found. Our results demonstrate associations between inflammatory markers (TNF-α and sTNFR1) and pain severity, IL-6 was associated with the qualities of pain, and TNF-α was also associated with disability. These inflammatory mediators represent new markers to be considered in the assessment and treatment of elderly patients with LBP. 5.