title: Prevalence of back pain in pregnancy.
abstract: The prevalence of back pain was studied in 855 pregnant women who were followed from the 12th week of pregnancy, every 2nd week, until childbirth. The 9-month period prevalence was 49%, with a point prevalence of 22-28% from the 12th week until delivery. Because 22% of the women had back pain at the 12th week of the pregnancy, the 6-month incidence was 27%. Based on pain drawings, back pain was classified into three groups: In one group, pain was localized to the sacroiliac areas and increased as pregnancy progressed; in the other two groups, pain either decreased or did not change, respectively. True sciatica with a dermatomal distribution occurred in only 10 women (1%). Back problems before pregnancy increased the risk of back pain, as did young age, multiparity, and several physical and psychological work factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sahlgren Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: H C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Ostgaard
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Andersson
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Karlsson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001416:Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014937:Work