Prevalence of chronic low back pain: systematic review

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To estimate worldwide prevalence of chronic low back pain according to age and sex.METHODS We consulted Medline (PubMed), LILACS and EMBASE electronic databases. The search strategy used the following descriptors and combinations: back pain, prevalence, musculoskeletal diseases, chronic musculoskeletal pain, rheumatic, low back pain, musculoskeletal disorders and chronic low back pain. We selected cross-sectional population-based or cohort studies that assessed chronic low back pain as an outcome. We also assessed the quality of the selected studies as well as the chronic low back pain prevalence according to age and sex.RESULTS The review included 28 studies. Based on our qualitative evaluation, around one third of the studies had low scores, mainly due to high non-response rates. Chronic low back pain prevalence was 4.2% in individuals aged between 24 and 39 years old and 19.6% in those aged between 20 and 59. Of nine studies with individuals aged 18 and above, six reported chronic low back pain between 3.9% and 10.2% and three, prevalence between 13.1% and 20.3%. In the Brazilian older population, chronic low back pain prevalence was 25.4%.CONCLUSIONS Chronic low back pain prevalence increases linearly from the third decade of life on, until the 60 years of age, being more prevalent in women. Methodological approaches aiming to reduce high heterogeneity in case definitions of chronic low back pain are essential to consistency and comparative analysis between studies. A standard chronic low back pain definition should include the precise description of the anatomical area, pain duration and limitation level.

Prevalence of low back pain in different educational levels: a systematic review

“…They are also in line with the results found by Meucci [32], who found that, just like smoking and low economic status, low educational level is associated with an increased prevalence of LBP. In addition, when compared with previous (Conclusion) reviews, the current review included newer studies and its meta-analysis on the prevalence of LBP in different educational levels was larger and more accurate.…”

The burden of neurological disease in theUnitedStates: A summary report and call to action

“…12 Although the prevalence of all CLBP for ages 24 to 39 years is 4.2%, the prevalence progressively increases with age, reaching 19.6% when patients through age 59 years are included. 13 Because of the methodological challenges of quantitating severe CLBP and the differing definitions used in different studies, prevalence estimates vary, but were estimated at 10.2% in one well executed state-wide study. 12 Using this estimate and extrapolating to the entire U.S. population, 32 million Americans are estimated to suffer from CLBP.…”

Prevalência, fatores associados e limitações relacionados ao problema crônico de coluna entre adultos e idosos no Brasil

“…Global prevalence of chronic back problems in the adult population in 2000 ranged from 12% to 33% 8 . Variations in prevalence in systematic reviews 2,4,9,10,11 are due largely to difficulties in the precise anatomical-pathological diagnosis of the condition, variability in anatomical site (lumbar, back, or other), relevance of symptoms (such as pain) for definition of chronicity, and differences in the reference period for back problems in survey questions (days, months, or the previous year).…”

“…Variations in prevalence in systematic reviews 2,4,9,10,11 are due largely to difficulties in the precise anatomical-pathological diagnosis of the condition, variability in anatomical site (lumbar, back, or other), relevance of symptoms (such as pain) for definition of chronicity, and differences in the reference period for back problems in survey questions (days, months, or the previous year). Chronicity of back problems is generally defined as continuous pain for at least three months, regardless of possible limitations caused by the problem 8 .…”