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Chiropractic & Manual Therapies

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Open Access 01-12-2014 | Systematic review

Is puberty a risk factor for back pain in the young? a systematic critical literature review

Authors: Arnaud Lardon, Charlotte Leboeuf-Yde, Christine Le Scanff, Niels Wedderkopp

Published in: Chiropractic & Manual Therapies | Issue 1/2014

Abstract

Background

Back pain is a common condition that starts early in life and seems to increase markedly during puberty. A systematic review was performed in order to investigate the link between puberty and back pain, using some Bradford Hill criteria for causality.

Objectives

We sought to obtain answers to the following questions: 1) Is there an association between puberty and back pain? If so, how strong is this association? And do the results remain unchanged also when controlling for age and sex? 2) Are the results of the studies consistent? 3) Is there a dose-response, showing a link between the increasing stages of puberty and the subsequent prevalence of back pain? 4) Is there a temporal link between puberty and back pain?

Design

A systematic critical literature review.

Methods

Systematic searches were made in March 2014 in PubMed, Embase, CINAHL and PsycINFO including longitudinal or cross-sectional studies on back pain for subjects <19 years, written in French or English. The review process followed the AMSTAR recommendations. Interpretation was made using some of the Bradford-Hill criteria for causality.

Results

Four articles reporting five studies were included, two of which were longitudinal. 1) Some studies show a weak and others a strong positive association between puberty and back pain, which remains after controlling for age and sex; 2) Results were consistent across the studies; 3) There was a linear increase of back pain according to the stage of puberty 4) Temporality has not been sufficiently studied.

Conclusion

All our criteria for causality were fulfilled or somewhat fulfilled indicating the possibility of a causal link between puberty and back pain. Future research should focus on specific hypotheses, for example investigating if there could be a hormonal or a biomechanical aspect to the development of back pain at this time of life.

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Title: Is puberty a risk factor for back pain in the young? a systematic critical literature review
Authors: Arnaud Lardon
Charlotte Leboeuf-Yde
Christine Le Scanff
Niels Wedderkopp
Publication date: 01-12-2014
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Chiropractic & Manual Therapies / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 2045-709X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12998-014-0027-6

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Is puberty a risk factor for back pain in the young? a systematic critical literature review

Abstract

Background

Objectives

Design

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Objectives

Design

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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