title: Risk factors associated with chronic low back pain in Syria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We aimed to identify risk factors associated with chronic low back pain (C-LBP) in Syria.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted the study in a busy outpatient neurology clinic in Damascus city from October 2011 to August 2012. We enrolled all eligible adults presenting with C-LBP along with those who denied any back pain as a controls. We considered C-LBP any LBP lasting over 3 months. We developed our own questionnaire. A clinical nurse interviewed each person and filled in the results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We had a total of 911 subjects; 513 patients and 398 controls. We found that C-LBP increased with age. Having a sibling with C-LBP was a strong predictor of C-LBP. In women obesity, but not overweight, was a risk factor. Number of children was a risk factor for mothers. Higher level of education decreased the chance of C-LBP in women. Sedentary job increased the risk of C-LBP.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study sheds some light on risk factors for C-LBP in our population and might help find possible preventive measures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Head of Integrated Neuroscience Center, King Abdullah Medical City, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Mohammad Salem
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Alhalabi
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Damascus Faculty of Medicine, Damascus, Syria.
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Alhaleeb
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, University of Damascus Faculty of Medicine, Damascus, Syria.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Madani
keywords: Family history; low back pain; obesity; waist circumference; waist to hip ratio