Identifying risk factors for low back pain (LBP) in Chinese middle-aged women: a case-control study.

This case-control study was to identify major risk factors, such as natural menopausal transition, physical strain to the lower back, and psychosocial and lifestyle stress, for low back pain (LBP) prevalence among noninstitutional Chinese middle-aged women. A total of 182 cases and 235 controls participated. Data were collected at face-to-face interviews and body measurements were obtained. The data included exclusive criteria: descriptions of their LBP, sociodemographic factors, menopausal status and reproductive factors, physical strain activities, psychosocial stress, lifestyle factors, and anthropometric parameters. Our results indicated that LBP was prevalent among (a) women who experienced stressful life events in the past 12 months; (b) women who had high psychological stress related to housework or work; (c) women who performed some physical strain activities, such as prolonged squatting or moderate physical activities in the previous year; and (d) women who had a low waist-to-hip ratio. Our results reveal that showing women how to reduce physical strain during activity and how to maintain good postures may have great potential in reducing or eliminating LBP. Our findings have important implications for the development of health education or health promotion such as how to take care of their backs and how to handle psychosocial stress in both the home and workplace.