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BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 1/2019

Open Access 01-12-2019 | Back Pain | Research article

Factors associated with chronic and acute back pain in Wales, a cross-sectional study

Authors: Steinthora Jonsdottir, Haroon Ahmed, Kristinn Tómasson, Ben Carter

Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders | Issue 1/2019

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Abstract

Background

Back pain is one of the most common causes for disability in the working population. Some risk factors for back pain are well known, however little is known about factors uniquely associated with acute or chronic back pain.
This study aimed to elucidate patterns uniquely associated with acute or chronic back pain.

Methods

This study performed secondary analysis of data from the Welsh Health Survey 2012, a nationwide cross-sectional survey.
A multivariable analysis was carried out for risk factors found to be significantly associated with acute and chronic back pain.

Results

We found that increased BMI (aOR 1.20, 95% Cis 1.08, 1.33; BMI > 30), mental health score below average (aOR 1.59, 95% CIs 1.47, 1.72), having a degree (aOR 1.28, 95% CIs 1.12, 1.47) and being older than 24 years (P < 0.001) were associated with increased prevalence of acute back pain.
Higher prevalence of chronic back pain was seen in individuals characterised by increased deprivation (WIMD) (aOR 1.61, 95% CIs 1.32, 1.96); increased age (aOR 7.34, 95% CIs 5.25, 10.26; for 65+); being female (aOR = 1.43, 95% CIs 1.27, 1.61); lower educational attainment (aOR 0.44, 95% CIs 0.36, 0.55) higher BMI (aOR = 1.60 95% CIs 1.38, 1.85; BMI > 30); poorer mental health score (aOR = 3.11 95% CIs 2.76, 3.51), and a sedentary lifestyle (aOR = 0.58, 95% CIs 0.49, 0.69; 3–5 days of light exercise).

Conclusion

Increased deprivation, female gender, and little exercise were uniquely associated with chronic back pain. These characteristics may help clinicians to intervene to prevent acute backpain resulting in chronic cases.
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Metadata
Title
Factors associated with chronic and acute back pain in Wales, a cross-sectional study
Authors
Steinthora Jonsdottir
Haroon Ahmed
Kristinn Tómasson
Ben Carter
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2474
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-019-2477-4

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