Prevalence of low back pain and lumbar spine degenerative disorders. Questionnaire survey and clinical–radiological analysis of a representative Hungarian population

Abstract

A cross-sectional epidemiological study via personal interviews was performed regarding low back pain and its related clinical aspects in a Hungarian sample of 10,000 people. Joining the international campaign of the "Bone and Joint Decade", our aim was to give data on low back pain prevalence and to explore the underlying possible clinical conditions in a Central European adult and adolescent population. Ten thousand people aged 14-65, selected randomly by the Hungarian central office of statistics from three counties of the south-western Hungarian region, were surveyed using a special questionnaire focusing on low back pain and other degenerative spinal symptoms. People with low back pain complaints and written consent were asked to participate in a further clinical investigation, where radiological and clinical assessment was performed. A total of 4,389 persons (44.1%) reported low back pain in the last month at the time of the survey. Work absenteeism due to low back pain affected 2,140 persons (21.5%). A total of 292 people (2.9%) had already undergone spinal surgery. Upon request 682 people came for a clinical follow-up, where thorough physical examination and radiological analysis was performed and results were statistically interpreted. The Oswestry disability index (ODI) in the examined group of patients averaged 35.1%; radiological degenerative signs were observed in 392/682 (57.5%). Individuals with signs of radiological degeneration had a statistically significant higher ODI value, age, and a higher, yet not significantly increased BMI value than radiographically negative patients (p<0.05). Co-existence of hip and knee osteoarthritis was also investigated. Higher osteoarthritis prevalence was found in individuals with radiographic signs of spinal degeneration. Details of the survey and clinical investigations are discussed.

Reliability and validity study on the Hungarian versions of the Oswestry Disability Index and the Quebec Back Pain Disability Scale

“…Low back pain (LBP) and radicular leg pain (LP) are amongst the most common complaints of adults seeking medical help; they cause serious economical and social problems [7][8][9]. Recently published Hungarian epidemiological data showed the outstanding impact of LBP in a typical central European country [10]. Results of a clinical and radiological survey of 10,000 participants showed that high prevalence of LBP significantly increases with age.…”

Ligament, nerve, and blood vessel anatomy of the lateral zone of the lumbar intervertebral foramina

“…The lower back pain caused by lumbar disc herniation and other cause is a common clinical condition [24][25][26]. Many surgical treatments focus on the lateral zones of LIF.…”

The connection between exertion and the prevalence of low back pain among hospital staff

“…Bolečina v križu je tako pomemben vzrok obolevnosti v vseh delih sveta, zlasti v najproduktivnejših letih življenja pri ženskah in moških. Bolečina v križu vodi do odsotnosti z dela pri 21,5 % delovne populacije, je bilo ugotovljeno na vzorcu 10.000 odraslih in adolescentov med 14. in 65. letom starosti na Madžarskem, kjer je o prisotnosti bolečine v križu med izvedbo raziskave poročalo 44,1 % merjencev (6). Katz (7) opozarja, da ima bolečina v križu pomembne socialno-ekonomske posledice, saj na primer v ZDA stroški bolečine v križu presegajo 100 bilijonov dolarjev letno.…”

“…Linton (13) je v raziskavi, s katero je želel zbrati izčrpne podatke o dejavnikih tveganja za pojav bolečin v hrbtenici pri zaposlenih, s pregledno in z napovedovalno študijo ugotovil, da so individualni psihološki dejavniki, kot je zaskrbljenost, ter dejavniki delovnega okolja, kot so delovne obremenitve, najmočneje povezani z razvojem bolečine v hrbtenici pri delovni skupini splošne populacije. Pregledna študija, v kateri je sodelovalo 372 zaposlenih, ki niso imeli izkušnje bolečine v hrbtenici v zadnjih nekaj letih, in 209 zaposlenih, ki so imeli bolečino v hrbtenici, ja pokazala, da sta največji potencialni rizični dejavnik za pojav težav s hrbtenico duševna stiska (13,2) in šibko telesno funkcioniranje (6,4). Napovedni del navedene raziskave, ki je vključeval samo posameznike, pri katerih se je bolečina v hrbtenici razvila v zadnjem letu, pa je med največjimi napovednimi dejavniki bolečine v hrbtenici izpostavil duševno stisko, zaskrbljenost in obremenitve na delovnem mestu (13).…”