A historical perspective on pregnancy-related low back and/or pelvic girdle pain.
The growing interest in pregnancy-related low back and/or pelvic girdle pain has invoked research projects to this subject. Although it seems a modern syndrome, historical articles show that pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PPGP) was already known centuries ago. The purpose of the present article is to provide a summary review of performed studies on pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain. Remarkably, these studies show large differences in results with regard to, for example, incidence rates and relevant etiologic factors of pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain. These differences can be explained by the use of different definitions and descriptions of pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain between studies. In conclusion, it is necessary to search for an evidence-based overall definition of pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain in order to provide more knowledge about incidence rates, etiologic factors and other related subjects.
Bastiaanssen
Janneke M
JM
Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands. J.Bastiaanssen@epid.unimaas.nl
de Bie
Rob A
RA
Bastiaenen
Caroline H G
CH
Essed
Gerard G M
GG
van den Brandt
Piet A
PA
D001416:Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000266:history; D005260:Female; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000266:history; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D012307:Risk Factors