Study Highlights Age, Gender, BMI, and Lifestyle as Key Factors in Managing Lower Back Pain

India: An observational study published in the Journal of the Association of Physicians of India revealed that Lower back pain is a complex condition shaped by factors such as age, gender, BMI, and lifestyle. To enhance patients' quality of life, management and prevention strategies must take these risk factors into account. 

A holistic approach is crucial to effectively address the multifaceted causes of lower back pain, the researchers wrote. 

Lower back pain is defined as the pain between the lower edges of the ribs and the buttocks. People at any age can experience Lower back pain. Lower back pain is divided into acute (<6 weeks), subacute (6 weeks to <3 months), and chronic (>3 months) based on duration. Risk factors associated with Lower back pain are physical factors, sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle habits, and psychological factors. Sociodemographic factors have a great impact on Lower back pain. Considering this, Banshi Lal Kumawat, Senior Professor & Unit Head, Department of Neurology, Sawai Man Singh Medical College and Hospital, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, et. al, conducted a study to analyze the risk factor and etiology profile of lower back pain among patients.

For this purpose, the research team conducted a cross-sectional observational study involving 170 patients from March 2023 to August 2023. Sociodemographic and lifestyle data were collected and diagnostic investigations which include X-ray and MRI were performed.

The study assessed several outcomes and based on the outcome, patients were categorized into acute and chronic Low Back Pain groups for further analysis. Patients with acute LBP (≤6 weeks) and Patients with chronic LBP (> 3 months). The magnetic resonance imaging of spine was done to assess the etiology of LBP. Pfirrmann grading was done for prolapsed intervertebral disk. Then the collected data were analyzed using SPSS 2021 version.

The findings revealed that:

• Patients under 35 years old had a higher prevalence of acute LBP, whereas those over 55 years old had a higher prevalence of chronic LBP.
• Compared to men, women had a greater frequency of LBP, with chronic LBP being more frequent in women.
• Talking about triggering events, coughing or sneezing was frequently associated with acute LBP, but hard weightlifting was a key trigger for chronic LBP.
• Patients with physically demanding employment had a higher risk of acute low back pain (LBP), but homemakers and unemployed people were more likely to experience chronic LBP.
• Overweight and obesity were linked to long-term low back pain. Compared to patients with acute LBP, those with chronic LBP were more likely to be using medication.
• Prolapsed intervertebral disk (PIVD), which is more common in patients with chronic low back pain, was the most common cause identified by MRI. Tumors, tuberculosis, vertebral fractures, and other spinal disorders were among the other etiologies.

“Age, gender, BMI and lifestyle factors influenced lower back pain. Proper management and preventive strategies help to improve the condition of the patients”, researchers concluded.

Reference

Kumawat, B. L., Kaur, I., & Parashar, V. S. (2024). An Observational Study of Various Risk Factors and Etiological Profile in Patients with Lower Back Pain at Tertiary Care Center. The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India, 72(7), 48–54. https://doi.org/10.59556/japi.72.0557