Chronic low back pain among older adults: a population-based perspective.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of chronic low back pain (LBP) in older North Carolinians, describe their health and health care utilization, and compare these findings with younger subgroups.


METHODS
A cross-sectional, telephone survey of 5,357 households was conducted to identify 732 adults with chronic, impairing LBP.


RESULTS
Chronic LBP prevalence in older adults was significantly higher than the 21-to-44-year age group (12.3% vs. 6.5%, p < .001). Older adults were more disabled, had longer symptom duration, and were less depressed. Chronic LBP care seeking in older adults was significantly lower than the 45-to-64-year age group (80.6% vs. 88.6%, p = .02). Older adults were less likely to receive bed rest, spinal manipulation, heat/cold treatments, electrical stimulation, and massage therapy. Use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), muscle relaxants, strong narcotics, and antidepressants was significantly lower in the older age group.


CONCLUSIONS
There are age-related differences in health and health care use among individuals with chronic LBP.
Knauer
Stefanie R
SR
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3210, USA. knauer@email.unc.edu
Freburger
Janet K
JK
Carey
Timothy S
TS
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009657:North Carolina / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011594:Psychometrics; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal