Upper back pain in postmenopausal women and associated physical characteristics

Spencer, Linda; McKenna, Leanda; Fary, Robyn; Jacques, Angela; Briffa, Kathy

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0220452

Cited by 15 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…[12][13][14] with no change in cup size is also a 1-point increase in BSS. In a subset of 119 participants, 42 BSSs derived from self-reported bra size data correlated significantly (r = 0.8, p < 0.001) with BSSs derived from investigator measured under and over bust circumferences. 43 Participant characteristics.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 87%

“…The BSS is an ordinal value (0–18) determined using numerical bra band sizes and alphabetical cup sizes (see Supplementary Material) which is similar in concept to the sizing system for unilateral breast prostheses 41 and has been used in prior research. 26,42 The BSS increments follow a numeric pattern, increasing sequentially relative to bra sizes, providing it with face validity. Using Australian bra sizes, a 14C is equivalent to a 12D or 16B; these each have a BSS of 6.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The relationship between breast size and aspects of health and psychological wellbeing in mature-aged women

Spencer

Fary

McKenna

et al. 2020

Womens Health (Lond Engl)

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Objectives: Increases in breast size with age are common but have not been widely examined as a factor that could affect the health and psychological wellbeing of mature-aged women. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between breast size and aspects of health and psychological wellbeing in mature-aged women. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of mature-aged women (⩾40 years). Breast size (breast size score) was determined from self-reported bra size and was examined against health-related quality of life (Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 and BREAST-Q), body satisfaction (numerical rating scale), breast satisfaction (BREAST-Q), physical activity levels (Human Activity Profile), the presence of upper back pain and breast and bra fit perceptions. Results: Two hundred sixty-nine women (40–85 years) with bra band sizes ranging from 8 to 26 and bra cup sizes from A to HH participated. The mean (standard deviation) breast size score of 7.7 (2.7) was equivalent to a bra size of 14DD. Increasing breast size was associated with significantly lower breast-related physical wellbeing ( p < 0.001, R2 = 0.043) and lower ratings of body ( p = 0.002, R2 = 0.024) and breast satisfaction ( p < 0.001, R2 = 0.065). Women with larger breasts were more likely to be embarrassed by their breasts (odds ratio: 1.49, 95% confidence interval: 1.31 to 1.70); more likely to desire a change in their breasts (odds ratio: 1.55, 95% confidence interval: 1.37 to 1.75) and less likely to be satisfied with their bra fit (odds ratio: 0.84, 95% confidence interval: 0.76 to 0.92). Breast size in addition to age contributed to explaining upper back pain. For each one-size increase in breast size score, women were 13% more likely to report the presence of upper back pain. Conclusion: Larger breast sizes have a small but significant negative relationship with breast-related physical wellbeing, body and breast satisfaction. Larger breasts are associated with a greater likelihood of upper back pain. Clinicians considering ways to improve the health and psychological wellbeing of mature-aged women should be aware of these relationships.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 87%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The relationship between breast size and aspects of health and psychological wellbeing in mature-aged women

Spencer

Fary

McKenna

et al. 2020

Womens Health (Lond Engl)

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“…An upper limit cut‐off time of 300 s was imposed. ( 15 ) The isometric chest raise test has high reliability (ICC 0.93 to 0.97) and reproducibility ( r = 0.94 to 0.9.5) when used with women (aged 35 to 49 years) with and without chronic back pain. ( 16 )…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…S1) using a system conceptually similar to sizing breast prostheses following unilateral mastectomy ( 14 ) that has been used in prior research. ( 15 ) Using this system, a 1‐cup‐size increase (eg, C to D) on the same band size (under bust, eg, size 12) is equivalent to a 1‐point increase in BSS. Similarly, a one‐band‐size increase (eg, 12 to 14) with no change in cup size is also a 1‐point increase in BSS.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…With their arms unsupported and hands at their temples, participants were asked to raise their chest clear of the bed and hold this position for as long as possible. ( 15 ) A stopwatch was used to measure the time (in seconds) to failure, defined as the point at which the chest touched the bed. Participants who were unable to raise their chest to initiate the test were allocated a time of zero.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Is Breast Size Related to Prevalent Thoracic Vertebral Fracture? A Cross‐Sectional Study

et al. 2020

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Large breasts may increase the likelihood of thoracic vertebral fractures by increasing the mechanical loading of the spine. We examined breast size as a factor associated with prevalent thoracic vertebral fractures, also considering its relationship with thoracic kyphosis and upper back extensor muscle endurance. Using a cross-sectional study, the design measurements collected were thoracic vertebral fractures (≥20% loss in vertebral body height on lateral radiograph), breast size (bra size converted to an ordinal breast size score), BMD (g/cm 2 averaged femoral neck, DXA), upper back extensor muscle endurance (isometric chest raise test), body composition (DXA), thoracic kyphosis (radiograph), and upper back pain (numerical rating scale). Correlations and multivariable logistic regression examined relationships between characteristics and their association with vertebral fracture. Participants were 117 healthy postmenopausal women. The 17 (15%) women with ≥1 thoracic vertebral fracture had larger breast size (mean difference [MD]: 2.2 sizes; 95% CI, 0.6 to 3.8 sizes), less upper back extensor muscle endurance (MD: −38.6 s; 95% CI, −62.9 to −14.3 s), and greater thoracic kyphosis (MD: 7.3 ; 95% CI, 1.7 to 12.8) than those without vertebral fracture. There were no between group differences in age, height, weight, and BMD. Breast size (r = −0.233, p = 0.012) and thoracic kyphosis (r = −0.241, p = 0.009) correlated negatively with upper back extensor muscle endurance. Breast size was unrelated to thoracic kyphosis (r = 0.057, p = 0.542). A (final) multivariable model containing breast size (OR 1.85; 95% CI, 1.10 to 3.10) and thoracic kyphosis (OR 2.04; 95%CI, 1.12 to 3.70) explained 18% of the variance in vertebral fracture. Breast size had a significant, but weak relationship with vertebral fracture (R 2 = 0.10), which was independent of BMD and unrelated to thoracic kyphosis. Further work is needed to confirm larger breast size as a risk factor for vertebral fracture.

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Comparative Outcomes of Superomedial and Inferior Pedicles in Breast Reduction and Mastopexy: A Meta-Analysis of 5123 Breasts

Tanas,

Tanas

2024

Aesth Plast Surg

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Background Superomedial and inferior pedicles are two commonly used techniques in breast reduction and mastopexy. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to compare the clinical outcomes associated with these two techniques. Methods PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for relevant studies. We included all studies with data comparing superomedial and inferior pedicles. Statistical analyses were performed using RevMan version 5.4. Results The search yielded 1075 studies, of which 15 were included in the meta-analysis, encompassing 2633 patients (5123 breasts), with 3491 breasts receiving superomedial pedicles and 1632 breasts receiving inferior pedicles. Superomedial pedicles were associated with significantly shorter operative length (MD = − 24.71, 95% CI = − 37.63 to − 11.79, p = 0.0002), higher BREAST-Q breast satisfaction scores (MD = 10.34, 95% CI = 7.72 to 12.96, p < 0.00001), lower infection rates (RR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.24 to 0.86, p = 0.02), higher incidence of seroma (RR = 3.00, 95% CI = 1.15 to 7.79, p = 0.02), and higher incidence of decreased nipple–areola complex (NAC) sensation (RR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.12 to 2.01, p = 0.006). No significant differences were observed in asymmetry, fat necrosis, NAC loss, and hematoma. Conclusion Superomedial pedicles demonstrated higher incidences of decreased NAC sensation and seroma formation, lower incidence of infection, shorter operative length, and higher BREAST-Q breast satisfaction scores compared to inferior pedicles. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore the long-term aesthetic outcomes associated with both techniques. Level of Evidence III This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

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Upper back pain in postmenopausal women and associated physical characteristics

Cited by 15 publications

References 55 publications

The relationship between breast size and aspects of health and psychological wellbeing in mature-aged women

The relationship between breast size and aspects of health and psychological wellbeing in mature-aged women

Is Breast Size Related to Prevalent Thoracic Vertebral Fracture? A Cross‐Sectional Study

Comparative Outcomes of Superomedial and Inferior Pedicles in Breast Reduction and Mastopexy: A Meta-Analysis of 5123 Breasts

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