Development of prediction model for risks of musculoskeletal chronic lumbopelvic pain in Indian women

Abstract

Chronic lumbopelvic pain (CLPP) and its associated disabilities significantly affect women's social, professional, and personal lives. However, the specific factors contributing to CLPP in women remain unclear. To address this gap, this prospective cross-sectional study aims to identify the risk factors predicting CLPP in women and develop a prediction model that can predict CLPP in women. The study was conducted across Delhi, India, where free health camps were held, and 2400 women were assessed. Among the assessed individuals, the study revealed a high prevalence rate of CLPP among Indian women, standing at 70.4%. Seven risk factors namely, hamstring muscle tightness (> 20° on passive knee extension test), increased lumbar lordosis (> 11.5 cm of the lumbar lordotic index), reduced hip flexibility (> 15 cm on bent knee fallout test), altered foot posture (≥ 20 on foot posture index score), increased perception of psychological stress (> 25 on cohen’s perceived stress scale-10 score), reduced physical activity level (< 475 metabolic/minute on international physical activity questionnaire) and reduced performance of transversus abdominis muscle (≤ 5 on deep muscle contraction scale score) strongly predict the risks of CLPP in women. Identifying these risk factors is crucial for effectively preventing and managing CLPP symptoms, especially considering its high prevalence among Indian women. Health professionals should prioritize raising awareness about CLPP and its causative factors, as well as implementing strategies for early detection and intervention.