[Spinal disorders in Norway--an epidemiological report].

Low back disorders are prevalent and induce large costs to the health services, the national insurance system and employers. This paper describes the prevalence of low back pain and low back work disability in the Norwegian population, and the incidence and duration of low back work disability in Aust-Agder county. Data from the Norwegian Health Survey 1995 and the registers of the National Insurance Administration are presented. 45% of women and 38% of men reported low back pain within a 14 day period. The prevalence of low back work disability was 1.9%. Low back disorders caused 13-17% of sickness absence, rehabilitation allowance and disability pensions in 1995. In Aust-Agder, the incidence of sickness absence caused by low back disorders was higher among men. In 16% of persons sick-listed due to low back pain without radiating symptoms, the sickness absence episode lasted for more than seven weeks. When radiating symptoms were present, the corresponding figure was 35%. The number of persons with low back disorders with radiating symptoms seems to have increased the most. Further research, preventive measures and guidelines for clinical work should focus on the group of persons who develop chronic low back work disability.