Risk factors affecting low back pain vary depending on the structure of societies, income levels and living conditions. In our study, we aimed to determine the risk factors of patients with low back pain, which causes economic, psychological and social problems.

 

2.    MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1. STUDY DESIGN AND PATIENTS

A total of 224 patients who applied to the Elazığ Private Doğu Anadolu Hospital Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Polyclinic between February 2019 and August 2021 with the complaint of chronic low back pain and whose etiological cause was determined were included in our study. The patients with nonspecific low back pain lasting longer than 12 weeks and without neurological deficit were evaluated. Patients with persistent or severe low back pain, pregnant women, those who had previous surgery, structural anomalies, spinal cord compression, severe instability, severe osteoporosis, severe cardiovascular or metabolic disease, and acute infection were excluded from the study.

 

2.2. DATA COLLECTION

Detailed anamnesis of all patients was taken and physical examinations were performed. Patients' age, gender, occupation, marital status, education, economic status and smoking information were recorded. While the education status of the patients was questioned, their most recent education levels were recorded. For the economic situation, the self-reported answers of the patients were taken into account, without any income level. The duration of low back pain was measured in months and the severity was measured on a 10 cm line as 0 - no pain and 10 - unbearable pain with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS).

 

2.3. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Continuous variables were presented as mean±SD and categorical data as numbers and percentages. For statistical analysis, SPSS program (version 22.0, IBM, USA) was used.

 

3.    RESULTS

Of 224 patients, 144 (64.3%) were female and 80 (35.7%) were male. The most common causes of chronic low back pain were lumbar spondylosis (120 patients, 53.6%) and discal hernia (68 patients, 30.4%). The distribution of 224 patients diagnosed with low back pain is shown in Table 1.

Table 1 Distribution of etiological factors causing low back pain
Patient's complaint	Number	%
Lumbar spondylosis	120	53.6
Discal hernia	68	30.4
Spinal stenosis	20	8.9
Sacroiliac joint degeneration	9	4.0
Spondylolisthesis	7	3.1

When we examined the risk factors affecting low back pain, 62 (27.7%) patients under the age of 60 had low back pain, while 162 (72.3%) patients aged 60 and over had low back pain. When the relationship between low back pain and the occupations of the patients was examined, it was found to be significantly higher in housewives, but lower in students. It was observed that as the education level increased, the rate of low back pain decreased significantly. While 167 (74.5%) of 224 patients were married, 57 (25.5) patients were single, and the frequency of low back pain was higher in married people than singles. Again, the frequency of low back pain was found to be higher in women who had ≥1 pregnancy compared to women who had ≤1 pregnancies (68.1% and 31.9%, respectively). 57.1% of the patients were found to be low-income; low back pain rate was higher in this group compared to the others. When we examined the relationship between smoking and low back pain, it was found that 60.7% of the patients with low back pain were smoking (Table 2).

Table 2 The relationship between demographic risk factors and low back pain
Risk factor	Number	%
Age (years) 60 ≥60	62 162	27.7 72.3
Gender Female Male	144 80	64.3 35.7
Marital status Married Single	167 57	74.5 25.5
Pregnancy status ≤1 ≥1	46 98	31.9 68.1
Job Housewife Officer Retired Student	125 32 56 11	55.8 14.3 25 4.9
Education level Primary school High school University	104 88 32	46.4 39.3 14.3
Income status Low Middle High	128 62 34	57.1 27.7 15.2
Cigarette + -	136 88	60.7 39.3

 

4.    DISCUSSION

In the general population, 70-80% of the entire world population experiences low back pain at least once in their lifetime. Low back pain is a health problem with significant socioeconomic effects. It is the most common cause of musculoskeletal problems in the working population Andersson (1999). A study evaluating incidence, prevalence, and years in 195 countries found that low back pain the leading cause of productivity loss worldwide Disease et al. (2018).

Bejia et al. (2005) found the lifetime prevalence of low back pain to be 57.7% and the prevalence of chronic low back pain to be 12.8% in a study they conducted on 350 hospital workers. In their study in which they examined the risk factors associated with low back pain, they emphasized that advanced age and female gender were important for low back pain. A systematic review of 165 studies from 54 countries showed that the point prevalence of low back pain was 11.9% (SD 2) and the 1-month prevalence was 23.3% (SD 29), and it was most common in women aged 40-80 years Hoy et al. (2012). In our study, low back pain was detected more frequently in elderly female patients, and this aspect was compatible with the literature.

The etiology of low back pain is not known exactly. The studies suggest that modifiable risk factors may play a role in the development of low back pain Strine et al. (2007). However, current evidence for the role of smoking in low back pain is unclear. One of the two reviews on the relationship between smoking and low back pain suggested a relationship between smoking and low back pain Goldberg et al. (2000),while the other reported unclear findings Leboeuf-Yde (1999). Feldman et al. (1999) in their study in which they investigated the risk factors for low back pain, reported that low back pain was seen approximately 2.5 times more in smokers. In a meta-analysis, it was shown that smokers have a higher prevalence and incidence of low back pain than non-smokers Shiri et al. (2010). In our study, low back pain was found to be increased in smokers, and our findings were found to be consistent with the literature.

Studies have shown that occupational factors are associated with low back pain. Matsui et al. (1997) found that the point prevalence of low back pain was 39% in manual workers and only 18.3% in sedentary workers. In this study, it was shown that the lifetime prevalence of low back pain is related to working conditions, with the highest risk in heavy lifters.

Low educational status has been shown to be one of the risk factors associated with low back pain. This relationship is due to the fact that people with low education levels generally work in occupational groups that require heavy physical activity Dionne et al. (2001). Burdorf and Sorock (1997) found that low education level, smoking addiction and advanced age were associated with low back pain. In a study conducted in Russia, it was shown that people with low education levels have significantly more low back pain complaints Toroptsova et al. (1995). In another study, it was shown that there was an inverse relationship between social status and the occurrence of low back pain Latza et al. (2000).

 

 

5.    CONCLUSION

According to our findings, a significant relationship was found between low back pain, elderly female patient, low economic level, low education level and smoking. We think that the frequency of low back pain, which causes financial loss and hinders daily life activities, can be reduced to some extent by taking measures to reduce the identified risk factors.

 

6.    INFORMED CONSENT

Written and oral informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study. Additional informed consent was obtained from all individual participants for whom identifying information is included in this manuscript.

 

7.    AVAILABILITY OF DATA AND MATERIALS

The datasets used and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request

 

8.    CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interests.

 

9.    ETHICAL APPROVAL

All procedures in this study involving human participants were performed in accordance with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments (Code: 2021/01.12).

 

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