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Updated: Feb 10, 2026
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Author Spotlight: Quantifying Pain Experience – An Illustrative Approach Using the Pain Body Diagram
Published on: July 7, 2023
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Risk factors for low back pain and sciatica: an umbrella review
Patricia Parreira1, Chris G Maher1, Daniel Steffens2
1Sydney Medical School, School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, PO Box M179, Missenden Rd, NSW 2050, Australia.
Summary
Identifying risk factors for low back pain (LBP) is crucial. Poor general health, physical and psychological stress, and individual characteristics significantly increase the risk of LBP and sciatica.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
Background:
- Low back pain (LBP) is a widespread condition causing significant disability and work absenteeism globally.
- Numerous environmental and individual factors are linked to increased LBP risk.
- This study addresses the need for a comprehensive summary of existing systematic reviews on LBP and sciatica risk factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an umbrella review of risk factors for low back pain (LBP) and sciatica.
- To synthesize evidence from existing systematic reviews.
- To identify key risk factors associated with LBP and sciatica.
Main Methods:
- An umbrella review methodology was employed.
- Systematic literature search conducted across major databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, PsychINFO, CINAHL).
- Included systematic reviews published between 2011-2016, focusing on cohort studies of individuals without LBP or sciatica at baseline. Methodological quality assessed using the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews tool.
Main Results:
- Fifteen systematic reviews, encompassing 134 cohort studies, were included.
- Thirty-eight of 54 investigated risk factors were significantly associated with increased LBP or sciatica risk (ORs 1.26-13.00).
- Identified risk factors include individual characteristics (e.g., older age), poor general health (e.g., smoking), spinal physical stress (e.g., vibration), and psychological stress (e.g., depression).
Conclusions:
- Poor general health, physical and psychological stress, and individual characteristics are significant risk factors for future episodes of low back pain (LBP) or sciatica.
- These findings highlight modifiable and non-modifiable factors contributing to LBP.
- Understanding these risk factors is essential for targeted prevention and management strategies.
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