01-03-2015 | Original Article
Prevalence of neck and low back pain in community-dwelling adults in Spain: an updated population-based national study (2009/10–2011/12)
Published in: European Spine Journal | Issue 3/2015
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Purpose
To estimate time trends in the prevalence of neck (NP) and low back pain (LBP) from 2009 to 2012; and to determine the socio-demographic features, self-rated health status, co-morbidity, lifestyle-related habits, and health care service associated with NP and LBP in Spanish adults.
Outcome measures
The European Health Interview Survey for Spain (2009) and the Spanish National Health Survey (2011).
Methods
A total of 43,072 subjects were included. We analyzed data collected from the European Health Interview Survey for Spain conducted in 2009 (n = 22,188), and the Spanish National Health Survey in 2011 (n = 20,884). We considered the presence of isolated NP, LBP and both (NP&LBP). We analyzed socio-demographic features; self-perceived health status; lifestyle habits; comorbid diseases, and professional treatment using logistic regression models.
Results
The prevalence of isolated NP, LBP and NP&LBP increased from 2008/9 to 2011/12 (7.86 vs. 8.56 %; 5.18 vs.5.44 %; 10.61 vs.11.12 %, respectively). Being female, increased the probability of isolated NP and NP&LBP, but decreased the probability of LBP. The prevalence of all pain localizations increased with older age, lower education level, poor self-rated health, smoker, comorbidities, psychological distress (anxiety or depression), hospital and physiotherapist visits and consumed drugs for pain, in 2008/9 as compared to 2011/12. Moreover, LBP, and NP&LBP were associated with obesity, whereas NP&LBP was associated with being married.
Conclusions
The prevalence of LBP, NP and NP&LBP had increased in the last 3 years in Spain.