Relationship between alcohol abuse and low back pain.

One hundred and forty-two consecutive referrals attending a low back pain clinic were assessed with questionnaires and blood tests for their alcohol consumption and the severity of their low back pain. Alcohol abuse was found by questionnaires in 11% of patients and 24% had abnormal blood tests. These are higher than reported in the general population. However, the level of alcohol consumption or presence of abnormal tests did not correlate with the severity of the low back pain as assessed by the degree of disability. Nevertheless, the increased consumption of alcohol may contribute to the syndrome complex.