Low back pain in young New Zealanders.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the occupational implications and impact of low back pain (LBP) in a birth cohort now aged 26.


METHODS
The LBP data were collected by an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Study members were asked about the prevalence and frequency of LBP and, for the worst episode, details were sought on occupation, time off work or job limitation, the severity of the discomfort, and disability.


RESULTS
The cohort comprised 980 individuals, and 969 individuals answered the questionnaire. Of these 969 individuals, 524 (54%) experienced LBP in the previous 12 months, with a modal frequency of three or more times a year. For the 448 individuals with a current occupation, there was no difference in the distribution of LBP between those with professional, clerical, and technical jobs and those with production or trades jobs. Fifty-six individuals had to have time off work (the majority for less than 7 days), and 13 individuals could not look after themselves because of pain. Based on data gathered on 26 year olds, the cost to the economy is estimated as NZ500 million dollars per annum.


CONCLUSIONS
LBP is prevalent and disabling even in young people, and has high costs. The natural history of the disorder is still largely unknown, but work does play a part. Although getting a person back to work may still be the best treatment, it is important to address the workplace factors.
Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. mcbride@gandalf.otago.ac.nz
David
D
McBride
Dorothy
D
Begg
Peter
P
Herbison
Ken
K
Buckingham
D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D015995:Prevalence; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires