title: Epidemiology of low back pain.
abstract: The science of epidemiology is difficult to apply to the problem of low back pain. This article discusses the problems associated with the study of low back pain, population surveys, risk factors for low back pain, and disability because of low back pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle.
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Loeser
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Volinn
mesh_terms: D001416:Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology