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BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 1/2020

01-12-2020 | Neck Pain | Research article

Risk factors for non-specific neck pain in young adults. A systematic review

Authors: Henriette Jahre, Margreth Grotle, Kaja Smedbråten, Kate M. Dunn, Britt Elin Øiestad

Published in: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders | Issue 1/2020

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Abstract

Background

Young adulthood is a sensitive period of life where development of musculoskeletal neck pain may be established and impact future health. The objective of this systematic review was to investigate risk factors for non-specific neck pain in young adults.

Methods

Systematic searches were conducted in six databases in September 2019. Prospective cohorts and registry studies including participants in whom the risk factor or the outcome (neck pain) was registered in the ages 18–29 years old were included. The Quality in Prognosis Studies tool was used for quality assessment. A modification of the Grading of Recommendations Assessments, Development and Evaluation was used to assess the overall quality of the evidence. Potential risk factors investigated in more than one study were summarised.

Results

Searches yielded 4527 articles, of which six matched the eligibility criteria. Fifty-six potential risk factors were investigated in the six studies, covering a broad range of domains. Five risk factors were investigated in more than one study (female sex, body mass index (BMI), physical activity, duration of computer use and perceived stress). Physical activity and BMI showed no association with neck pain, and inconsistent results were found for female sex, duration of daily computer use and perceived stress. Risk of bias was moderate or high in all studies, and the overall quality of evidence was very low.

Conclusion

The studies included many potential risk factors, but none of them showed consistent associations with neck pain. There is a paucity of high-quality studies investigating risk factors for neck pain in young adults.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Risk factors for non-specific neck pain in young adults. A systematic review
Authors
Henriette Jahre
Margreth Grotle
Kaja Smedbråten
Kate M. Dunn
Britt Elin Øiestad
Publication date
01-12-2020
Publisher
BioMed Central
Keyword
Neck Pain
Published in
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2474
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-020-03379-y

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