STUDY DESIGN: A population-based cross-sectional multiregion postal survey. OBJECTIVE: To provide a descriptive epidemiology of the prevalence and severity of back pain in German adults and to analyze sociodemographic correlates for disabling back pain within and across regions. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Back pain is a leading health problem in Germany. However, comprehensive population-based evidence on the severity of back pain is still fragmentary for this country. Despite earlier findings concerning large prevalence differences across regions, systematic explanations remain to be ascertained. METHODS: Questionnaire data were collected for 9263 subjects in 5 German cities and regions (population-based random samples, postal questionnaire). Point, 1-year, and lifetime prevalence were assessed using direct questions, and graded back pain was determined using the Graded Chronic Pain Scale. Poststratification was applied to adjust for cross-regional sociodemographic differences. RESULTS: Point-prevalence was 37.1%, 1-year prevalence 76.0%, and lifetime prevalence 85.5%. A substantial minority had severe (Grade II, 8.0%) or disabling back pain (Grade III-IV, 11.2%). Subjects with a low educational level reported substantially more disabling back pain. This variable was an important predictor for large cross-regional differences in the burden of back pain. CONCLUSION: Back pain is a highly prevalent condition in Germany. Disabling back pain in this country may be regarded as part of a social disadvantage syndrome. Educational level should receive greater attention in future cross-regional comparisons of back pain.
STUDY DESIGN: A population-based cross-sectional multiregion postal survey. OBJECTIVE: To provide a descriptive epidemiology of the prevalence and severity of back pain in German adults and to analyze sociodemographic correlates for disabling back pain within and across regions. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Back pain is a leading health problem in Germany. However, comprehensive population-based evidence on the severity of back pain is still fragmentary for this country. Despite earlier findings concerning large prevalence differences across regions, systematic explanations remain to be ascertained. METHODS: Questionnaire data were collected for 9263 subjects in 5 German cities and regions (population-based random samples, postal questionnaire). Point, 1-year, and lifetime prevalence were assessed using direct questions, and graded back pain was determined using the Graded Chronic Pain Scale. Poststratification was applied to adjust for cross-regional sociodemographic differences. RESULTS: Point-prevalence was 37.1%, 1-year prevalence 76.0%, and lifetime prevalence 85.5%. A substantial minority had severe (Grade II, 8.0%) or disabling back pain (Grade III-IV, 11.2%). Subjects with a low educational level reported substantially more disabling back pain. This variable was an important predictor for large cross-regional differences in the burden of back pain. CONCLUSION:Back pain is a highly prevalent condition in Germany. Disabling back pain in this country may be regarded as part of a social disadvantage syndrome. Educational level should receive greater attention in future cross-regional comparisons of back pain.
Authors: Carsten Oliver Schmidt; T Kohlmann; M Pfingsten; G Lindena; U Marnitz; K Pfeifer; J F Chenot Journal: Eur Spine J Date: 2015-08-27 Impact factor: 3.134
Authors: Mark D Sullivan; Michael Von Korff; Caleb Banta-Green; Joseph O Merrill; Kathleen Saunders Journal: Pain Date: 2010-03-23 Impact factor: 6.961
Authors: Mihai Mardare; Manuel Oprea; Iulian Popa; Ancuța Zazgyva; Marius Niculescu; Dan V Poenaru Journal: Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol Date: 2016-08-25