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Meta-Analysis
. 2023 Jun 9:11:1098100.
doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1098100. eCollection 2023.

Global and regional estimates of clinical and economic burden of low back pain in high-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Francis Fatoye  1   2 , Tadesse Gebrye  1 , Cormac G Ryan  3 , Ushotanefe Useh  2 , Chidozie Mbada  1
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Global and regional estimates of clinical and economic burden of low back pain in high-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Francis Fatoye et al. Front Public Health. .

Abstract

Introduction: Low back pain (LBP) is a common health problem, and the leading cause of activity limitation and work absence among people of all ages and socioeconomic strata. This study aimed to analyse the clinical and economic burden of LBP in high income countries (HICs) via systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods: A literature search was carried out on PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, AMED, and Scopus databases was from inception to March 15th, 2023. Studies that assessed the clinical and economic burden of LBP in HICs and published in English language were reviewed. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale (NOS) for cohort studies. Two reviewers, using a predefined data extraction form, independently extracted data. Meta-analyses were conducted for clinical and economic outcomes.

Results: The search identified 4,081 potentially relevant articles. Twenty-one studies that met the eligibility criteria were included and reviewed in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The included studies were from the regions of America (n = 5); Europe (n = 12), and the Western Pacific (n = 4). The average annual direct and indirect costs estimate per population for LBP ranged from € 2.3 billion to € 2.6 billion; and € 0.24 billion to $8.15 billion, respectively. In the random effects meta-analysis, the pooled annual rate of hospitalization for LBP was 3.2% (95% confidence interval 0.6%-5.7%). The pooled direct costs and total costs of LBP per patients were USD 9,231 (95% confidence interval -7,126.71-25,588.9) and USD 10,143.1 (95% confidence interval 6,083.59-14,202.6), respectively.

Discussion: Low back pain led to high clinical and economic burden in HICs that varied significantly across the geographical contexts. The results of our analysis can be used by clinicians, and policymakers to better allocate resources for prevention and management strategies for LBP to improve health outcomes and reduce the substantial burden associated with the condition.

Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/#recordDetails?, PROSPERO [CRD42020196335].

Keywords: LBP; clinical burden; cost; economic burden; high income countries.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow diagram of publications included and excluded in the review.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The pooled mean of annual rate of hospitalization of LBP.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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