Solving an incomplete puzzle: risk factors of low back pain during pregnancy

Low back pain during pregnancy is a common disorder with an obscure etiopathogenesis. This study sought to investigate the association of low back pain by assessing various epidemiologic and clinical risk factors including weight changes, the presence of striae gravidarum, and intraperitoneal adhesions.

A total of 250 pregnant women between 37 and 40 gestational weeks who were scheduled for cesarean section were included in this multicenter prospective trial. Sociodemographic parameters and physical examination findings were noted and assessed as potential risk factors that may play a role in the development of low back pain.

The mean age of the study population was 29.98 ± 5.23 years and low back pain was identified in 120 (48%) patients. According to the logistic regression results, an increase in BMI (%) during pregnancy (odds ratio: 1.240; 95% CI: 1.061-1.448; p = 0.007) is correlated with the presence of low back pain. Separately, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis suggested that an increase in BMI (%) during pregnancy has a sensitivity of 77.5% and a specificity of 60% for the prediction of low back pain, and the cutoff point was found to be 15.5%.

Our results imply that an increase in BMI (%) was correlated with low back pain during pregnancy. Weight gain should be personalized for each pregnancy and the increase in BMI (%) during gestation should be reduced. Measures should be taken to assure appropriate weight control to prevent low back pain during pregnancy.