Predictors of low back pain onset in a prospective British study.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined predictors of low back pain onset in a British birth cohort.


METHODS
Univariate and multivariate analyses focused on individuals who experienced onset of low back pain at 32 to 33 years of age (n= 571) and individuals who were pain free (n = 5210). Participants were members of the 1958 British birth cohort.


RESULTS
Incident pain was elevated among those with psychological distress at 23 years of age (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 2.52, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.65, 3.86) and among persistent moderate or heavy smokers (adjusted OR = 1.63, 95% 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 in multivariate analyses.


CONCLUSIONS
This prospectively studied cohort provides evidence that psychological distress more than doubles later risk of low back pain, with smoking having a modest independent effect. Other prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings before implications for low back pain prevention can be assessed.
Power
C
C
Department of Paediatric Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Child Health, University College of London, 30 Guilford Street, London WC1N 1EH, England. c.power@ich.ucl.ac.uk
Frank
J
J
Hertzman
C
C
Schierhout
G
G
Li
L
L
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology