Does gynecologic surgery contribute to low back problems in later life? An analysis of the women's health and aging study.
OBJECTIVE
To examine whether women with potential injuries to the abdominal and pelvic musculature from past gynecologic surgery are at higher risk for low back pain (LBP).


METHODS
Cross-sectional population-based study.


METHODS
Eastern region of the city and county of Baltimore, MD.


METHODS
Disabled women (N=1002) aged 65 and older, 448 of whom reported gynecologic surgery who were participants in the Women's Health and Aging Study.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
LBP presence in the last year, LBP severity for the last month, and adjudicated lumbar diagnoses (disk disease, stenosis) were examined in relation to reports of surgical menopause or ovarian surgery adjusted for LBP risk factors.


RESULTS
Women with surgical menopause experienced more moderate LBP (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=1.59; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-2.3) than women without surgical menopause. Women with ovarian surgery also experienced more moderate LBP than women without ovarian surgery, but this association was not statistically significant (AOR=1.39; 95% CI, 0.96-2.09). Gynecologic surgery was not associated with an increased likelihood of lumbar disk disease or stenosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Surgical menopause may increase the risk of moderate LBP. Further research is needed to determine how gynecologic surgery might influence low back pathology. Abdominal and pelvic muscle rehabilitation after gynecologic surgery may provide protection from LBP later in life.
Ericksen
Jeffery J
JJ
Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, 23298, USA. jerickse@hsc.vcu.edu
Bean
Jonathan F
JF
Kiely
Dan K
DK
Hicks
Gregory E
GE
Leveille
Suzanne G
SG
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000209:etiology; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae; D016387:Women's Health