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European Spine Journal

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01-05-2018 | Original Article

Risk factors of non-specific spinal pain in childhood

Authors: Julia Szita, Sara Boja, Agnes Szilagyi, Annamaria Somhegyi, Peter Pal Varga, Aron Lazary

Published in: European Spine Journal | Issue 5/2018

Abstract

Purpose

Non-specific spinal pain can occur at all ages and current evidence suggests that pediatric non-specific spinal pain is predictive for adult spinal conditions. A 5-year long, prospective cohort study was conducted to identify the lifestyle and environmental factors leading to non-specific spinal pain in childhood.

Materials and methods

Data were collected from school children aged 7–16 years, who were randomly selected from three different geographic regions in Hungary. The risk factors were measured with a newly developed patient-reported questionnaire (PRQ). The quality of the instrument was assessed by the reliability with the test–retest method. Test (N = 952) and validity (N = 897) datasets were randomly formed. Risk factors were identified with uni- and multivariate logistic regression models and the predictive performance of the final model was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) method.

Results

The final model was built up by seven risk factors for spinal pain for days; age > 12 years, learning or watching TV for more than 2 h/day, uncomfortable school-desk, sleeping problems, general discomfort and positive familiar medical history (χ² = 101.07; df = 8; p < 0.001). The probabilistic performance was confirmed with ROC analysis on the test and validation cohorts (AUC = 0.76; 0.71). A simplified risk scoring system showed increasing possibility for non-specific spinal pain depending on the number of the identified risk factors (χ² = 65.0; df = 4; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Seven significant risk factors of non-specific spinal pain in childhood were identified using the new, easy to use and reliable PRQ which makes it possible to stratify the children according to their individual risk.

Graphical abstract

These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

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Title: Risk factors of non-specific spinal pain in childhood
Authors: Julia Szita
Sara Boja
Agnes Szilagyi
Annamaria Somhegyi
Peter Pal Varga
Aron Lazary
Publication date: 01-05-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Spine Journal / Issue 5/2018
Print ISSN: 0940-6719
Electronic ISSN: 1432-0932
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-018-5516-1

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Risk factors of non-specific spinal pain in childhood

Abstract

Purpose

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

Graphical abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

Graphical abstract

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