Prevalence of Low Back Pain and Evaluation of Risk Factors in Hospitalized Patients

Abstract

Objective To determine the prevalence of low back pain and to establish a correlation with risk factors for the development of low back pain in a teaching hospital in the East Zone of São Paulo. Method This is a cross-sectional, observational, analytical study, in which 90 patients from the teaching hospital wards were evaluated. Internationally validated instruments were used to assess clinical, epidemiological and behavioral aspects. Results The prevalence rate obtained was 57.73%, which is considered high compared to the rates in studies conducted outside of the hospital environment. There was predominance in the female sex, at 30.13% (SSD 5.32%). Sleep disturbances, measured indirectly through hours of sleep and the average pain score (p = 0.007), seem to act as a risk factor. The instruments for checking pain seem to be more effective when used together, with an association being observed between the Oswestry questionnaire (ODI) and the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain (p = 0.000). Conclusions There is a prevalence of low back pain among institutionalized individuals, especially those who are hospitalized, compared to rates observed outside the hospital environment. Level of evidence IV; Cross-sectional observational.