Prevalence of low back pain in young Brazilians and associated factors: Sex,physical activity,sedentary behavior,sleep and body mass index

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Low back pain (LBP) has become increasingly common, but the prevalence of this complaint and associated factors in young people remains controversial.

OBJECTIVE:

This study aimed to identify the prevalence of LBP and to explore the existence of associated factors (sex, physical activity, sedentary lifestyle, sleep, body mass index and waist circumference).

METHODS:

This study considered all complaints of the lumbar region (acute or chronic) as LBP, which can irradiate to the backside and legs, lasting a minimum of 24 hours.

Youngsters aged 15 to 18 years from a school in the south of Brazil were evaluated. Descriptive statistics was used, in particular Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U tests and binary logistic regression. A significance level of $p<$ 0.05 was adopted.

RESULTS:

A total of 330 youngsters answered a questionnaire and had their anthropometric measurements measured (response rate 84%). The prevalence of LBP in the present was 30%, quarterly 63% and throughout life 77%. There was a significant association between LBP and sex: girls have an increased risk of LBP in the last three-month period (PR $=$ 1.3, 95% CI 1.06–1.56) and throughout life (PR $=$ 1.2, 95% CI 1.04–1.43). The practice of physical activities was also associated with LBP, but as a protection factor in the present and in the last three-month period (PR $=$ 0.7, 95% CI 0.47–0.90). Physical education at school has demonstrated a protective factor regarding LBP throughout life (PR $=$ 0.9, 95% CI 0.77–0.97). Most of the students did not comply with recommendations related to sleep and time spent doing activities in front of a screen, and no association of these factors with LBP was detected. This exposure (physical activity, sleep time, sedentarism) did not present significant association with LBP when adjusted by the confusion factors (sex, age, BMI).

CONCLUSIONS:

Youngsters reported a high prevalence of LBP. Girls were at greater risk of LBP than boys. It is recommended that prevention strategies focus on the practices of physical activities and scholar physical education. No association of LBP with sedentary lifestyle (TV and computer use time, sleep time), anthropometric measures and sleeping duration was observed.