What do we know about Indigenous Peoples with low back pain around the world? A topical review

Abstract

Background Low back pain (LBP) represents a worldwide burden with rising disability, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Indigenous Peoples are exposed to many risk factors for LBP and seem to have overall worse health and higher mortality compared to non-Indigenous. This article aims to provide a topical overview of LBP in Indigenous Peoples. Methods A comprehensive search was done using the keywords “Indigenous” and “back pain.” Secondly, a cross-reference search of the citations list of the included articles was conducted. Results LBP is a prevalent, disabling health condition among Indigenous Peoples that impacts activities of daily living, emotional well-being, and cultural identity. Indigenous Peoples face numerous and unique barriers to obtain Western health care. LBP in Indigenous Peoples is partly iatrogenic and available health care lacks a culturally secure setting. In combination with racism and discrimination by health care providers, this leads to miscommunication, frustration, and poor outcome in Indigenous patients around the world. Conclusion Contextual considerations and interpretation of findings within the appropriate cultural context are needed in future research and treatment of LBP in Indigenous Peoples. However, our literature analysis exhibits disproportionate representation with the scarcity of studies of Indigenous Peoples of Asia and Africa. Addressing this gap in the literature could provide significant scientific value. Indigenous Peoples should not be forgotten in reducing the global burden for LBP.