Low back pain in 1,100 Iranian pregnant women: prevalence and risk factors

Abstract

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a common and costly problem in pregnancy. It is one of the main reasons for disability, absence from work, and responsible for huge direct and indirect economical impact.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of LBP during pregnancy.

Study design: A cross-sectional study was carried out on Iranian pregnant women.

Patient sample: Eleven hundred randomly selected pregnant women.

Outcome measures: A structured questionnaire including demographic, lifestyle, as well as prevalence and characteristics of LBP was used. Visual Analog Scale and Oswestry low back disability questionnaires were also used to assess the pain intensity and functional disability, respectively.

Methods: After ethical approval from Medical Ethics Board at the Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 1,100 pregnant women from 18 health centers in Sari district, at northern Iran.

Results: Point, last-month, last 6-month, last-year, and lifetime prevalence of LBP were 40.2%, 55.9%, 59.4%, 76.2%, and 84.1%, respectively. Prolonged standing and rest were found to be the most significant aggravating and relieving factors (76.3% and 87.7%, respectively). LBP was significantly correlated with history of previous LBP and LBP in previous pregnancy (p=.000 in both cases).

Conclusion: The prevalence of LBP in pregnant women appears to be high and future research should focus on different preventive strategies during pregnancy.