Factors affecting low back pain in adolescents.
METHODS
Prospective multifactorial study on low back pain (LBP) in adolescents.


BACKGROUND
Most studies on LBP have focused on adults although many investigations have shown that the roots of LBP lie in adolescence. Several mechanical, physical, and behavioral factors have been associated with nonspecific LBP in adolescents.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of all previously reported parameters together with psychological and psychosocial factors using advanced statistics, on LBP in adolescents aged 15 to 19 years.


METHODS
Six hundred and eighty-eight students aged 16±1 years from 5 randomly selected high schools participated in this study and completed a questionnaire containing questions on daily activity, backpack carrying, psychological and psychosocial behavior. Anthropometric data as well as biplane spinal curvatures together with questionnaire results were included in the analysis using advanced statistics.


RESULTS
LBP reported 41% of the participants. Generally, statistically significant correlations were found between LBP (0.002), physical activity (P<0.001), physician consultation (P=0.024), and depression (P<0.001). Sex-related differences were shown regarding LBP intensity (P=0.005) and frequency (P=0.013), stress (P<0.03), depression (P=0.005), and nervous mood (P=0.036) in favor of male students. Male adolescents had continuous energy (P=0.0258) and were calm (P=0.029) in contrast with female counterparts.


CONCLUSIONS
LBP was sex-related and was less common in adolescents with frequent activity. Adolescent girls with stress, depressive mood, and low energy have more LBP than boys, which makes physician consultation for LBP more common in female adolescents.


CONCLUSIONS
Systematic physical activity and control of psychological profile should decrease LBP frequency and intensity.
Korovessis
Panagiotis
P
Orthopaedic Department, General Hospital Agios Andreas, Patras, Greece. korovess@otenet.gr
Repantis
Thomas
T
Baikousis
Andreas
A
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D001007:Anxiety; D003863:Depression; D005221:Fatigue; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult