Burden of Chronic Low Back Pain in the Turkish Population

Abstract

Objective: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a great economic burden to the society mainly in terms of the large number of the lost work days and disability, and it appears to be growing. The economic burden of LBP in Turkey is not known. This study aims to analyze the health care resource use, work and productivity loss, and health-related economics of CLBP in Turkey. Material and Methods:The study was designed as a multi-centered cross-sectional survey of patients in physical therapy and rehabilitation clinics from eight different regions of Turkey and 662 patients with CLBP over 18 years of age were included. Data on patient sociodemographics, disease-related healthcare resource use during the previous 6 months, inability to work during the last 3 months, Roland Morris Disability Index for the functional status, and psychological health with Beck Depression Scale were collected. Direct costs included medical visits, investigations, medications, hospitalizations, orthopedic aids, and physical therapy. İndirect costs were evaluated mostly with productivity loss. Results: The total annual direct costs for CLBP per patient were estimated at 1080 TL. The indirect costs were estimated at 5511 TL per patient. Direct cost was correlated with disease severity, duration, and age. Indirect cost was higher in women. Conclusion: The indirect costs for CLBP were significantly higher than the direct costs.

Risk factors associated with chronic low back pain: an analysis of Turkey health survey data

“…This study highlights that CLBP is associated with certain socio-demographic, comorbidity, and health factors where younger (15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24), male, married, employed, insured individuals are more likely to report CLBP. CLBP patients are more likely to have been non-smokers, alcohol consumers, involved in less physical and muscle strengthening activities and not regular visitors to kinesiotherapist and visitors to psychotherapist.…”

“…It was found that CLBP is higher in smokers, housewives, disability patients 18 , and young adults (33% prevalence in age ≤ 15 years). [16][17][18][19][20] Thus, a number of efforts have been made to determine prevalence of CLBP in general population and rural parts of Turkey. [15][16][17] As CLBP prevalence is closely related to lifestyle, studies examining CLBP disorders from different data sources produced mixed results.…”

Body awareness and chronic low back pain: validity and reliability study of Turkish version of body awareness rating scale

“…Chronic low back pain (CLBP) a disease which is frequently relapsed, causes workforce loss and the treatment takes time [6]. Therefore, assessments of patients with chronic low back pain should include complementary and whole body treatments [7]. Low back pain (LBP) is a common problem affecting 80% of Turkish society, as well as a public health concern among musculoskeletal disorders.…”

Bel Ağrılı Hastalarımızın Değerlendirilmesi

“…Dünyada üst solunum yolu enfeksiyonlarından sonra hastaneye başvurunun en sık sebebidir [1][2][3]. İnsanların yaklaşık %70-84'ünün yaşamlarının bir döneminde bel ağrısı çektiği, bel ağrısının yıllık prevalansının %15-65 olduğu bilinmektedir [4,5]. Türkiye'de yapılan çalışmalarda yaşam boyu bel ağrısı prevalansının %44-79 olduğu bildirilmiştir [1,6].…”

“…Bu ağrıların sadece %10 kadarı kronikleşir [7].Bel ağrısı fonksiyonel kayıplara neden olarak kişinin yaşam kalitesini olumsuz yönde etkileyerek, yüksek tedavi maliyeti ve iş gücü kaybına yol açan önemli bir sorundur. Özellikle kronik bel ağrıları toplum için önemli bir iş gücü kaybı ve ekonomik yük oluşturur [4] Bel ağrıları genellikle non-spesifik nedenlerden kaynaklı ağrılardır. Hastaların sadece %10'u spesifik nedenli (lomber disk hernisi, stenoz, romatolojik hastalık, vertebra kırığı, malignite veya enfeksiyon gibi) bir bel ağrısına sahiptir [3].…”