This study was designed as a cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey of low back pain (LBP) in 13- to 16-year-old Danish school children. The cohort consisted of 671 boys and 718 girls in eighth and ninth grade in 46 municipal schools in three counties of Sealand. All the pupils filled in a questionnaire with LBP as the main topic and were at the same time examined by the school doctors. The first part of the questionnaire contained questions about leisure time sports activity, TV watching, PC use, job in leisure time and smoking. The second part dealt with LBP in relation to frequency and severity, influence on daily living and use of the health system. The school doctor measured body height and weight, (BMI), degree of hypermobility and the tightness of the hamstring muscles. The results showed a cumulative life-time prevalence of LBP of 58.9%, a 1-year prevalence of 50.8% and an increase in LBP prevalence of 6.4% from 14 to 15 years of age, independent of gender. Fourteen percent (141 F, 54 M) fulfilled the criteria for general hypermobility and 12.2% (45 F, 124 M) had tightness of hamstring muscles of more than 40 degrees. Recurrent/continuous LBP in a moderate to severe degree was recorded in 19.4% of children (182 F, 88 M). This was positively correlated to female gender, BMI more than 25 kg/m(2), competitive sport for boys, poor physical fitness, daily smoking, heavy jobs in leisure time, increased use of the health system and reduced life quality. Stepwise logistic regression analysis indicates that female gender, daily smoking and heavy jobs are important associated factors for severe LBP in adolescents, with an observed probability of 46% if all factors are present. We don't know yet whether these factors are of any causal importance in the development of severe LBP.

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This study is based on data gathered by means of a postal questionnaire from a cohort of 640 38-year-old subjects. At the age of 14 years these subjects had been interviewed by their school doctor to ascertain whether any of them had a history of low back pain (LBP), and X-rays of the thoracic and lumbar spine were taken. The questionnaire contained related groups of questions, with LBP as the main topic. We wanted to identify probable risk factors in developing LBP. The results show a cumulative life-time prevalence of LBP of 70%, a 1-year prevalence of 63% and a point prevalence of 19%, independent of gender. Women reported a higher incidence of LBP than men during the month and week before they filled out the questionnaire, they also reported a higher incidence of sciatica and greater use of the health care system and analgestics over the previous year. Heavy manual work was associated with LBP and sciatica, and smoking (more than 16 cigarettes per day) was more common among unemployed and sick-listed subjects, Severe LBP was associated with increased morbidity, reduced work capacity, deterioration in social life, mental and sexual problems, and increased smoking. A stepwise logistic regression analysis of "early" independent variables indicated that severe LBP is positively correlated with low social class for men and with menstruation and pregnancy for women.

A cohort of 38-year-old men and women were studied for leisure time physical exercise in relation to low back pain (LBP), education, work, social class and smoking by a self-administered questionnaire. At the age of 14 years, the subjects had been interviewed by their school doctor regarding history of LBP and radiographs of the thoracic and lumbar spine were taken. The results show no positive correlation between radiographic changes and LBP in the adolescent period and decreased physical activity in adulthood. Physical activity for at least 3 h/week reduces the risk of LBP measured as lifetime, 1-year and point prevalence. Eighty-five percent of the subjects who reported taking physical exercise for at least 3 h/week had participated in sports activity almost constantly since their school days and these reported being in better condition than the rest of the cohort. Otherwise they did not have a healthier mode of life. No physical exercise during leisure time was associated with a short school education, unskilled work, unemployment and sickness, low social class, divorce, living in an apartment and smoking. Sixty percent had never or not for many years been interested in participating in sports. Badminton and tennis were the most common sports practised (36%), followed by gymnastics (32%), ball games -soccer and team handball -(25%), running (20%) and swimming (18%). Gymnastics and swimming seem to reduce LBP significantly. Our results show a falling interest in participating in sports activities over time, with 68% of the subjects being members of an athletic association previously, but only 29% currently. Women were more physically inactive during leisure time, probably because of their dual role. Logistic regression analysis indicates that physical activity is related to a long school education, high social class and regular sports activity over time.

The conventional treatment of patients with ureteric obstruction due to retroperitoneal fibrosis (RF) is surgery in combination with long-term corticosteroids. This report describes 11 cases of RF with ureteric obstruction treated with methyl-prednisolon pulse therapy (MPPT) in combination with azathioprine or penicillamine following initial insertion of ureteral stents. The medial treatment suggested was successful in 7 patients, but only moderately effective in the last 4 patients. This principle of non-operative management of RF has not been previously reported.