Predictors of Low Back Pain Onset in a Prospective British Study

• DOI: 10.2105/ajph.91.10.1671
• Publication Date: 2008-11-29T13:33:29Z
• Authors: Chris Power; John Frank; Clyde Hertzman; Gill Schierhout; Leah Li
• Keywords: Univariate analysis; Back Pain

This study examined predictors of low back pain onset in a British birth cohort.Univariate and multivariate analyses focused on individuals who experienced at 32 to 33 years age (n= 571) were free (n = 5210). Participants members the 1958 cohort.Incident was elevated among those with psychological distress 23 (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.65, 3.86) persistent moderate or heavy smokers OR 1.63, CI 1.23, 2.17). Significant univariate associations involving other factors (e.g., social class, childhood emotional status, body mass index, job satisfaction) did not persist analyses.This prospectively studied cohort provides evidence that more than doubles later risk pain, smoking having modest independent effect. Other prospective studies are needed confirm these findings before implications for prevention can be assessed.