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Low back pain in schoolchildren. A study of familial and psychological factors
F Balagué1, M L Skovron, M Nordin
1Service de Rheumatologie, Médecine Physique et Rééducation, Höpital Cantanol, Fribourg, Switzerland.
Study Design:
The results of a survey organized in the school system of the Swiss canton of Fribourg. An original questionnaire was developed for this study are reported.
Objectives:
The goal of this study was to evaluate the possible role of familial or psychological factors in schoolchildren reporting nonspecific low back pain.
Summary Of Background Data:
Previous surveys have shown a high prevalence of nonspecific low back. pain among schoolchildren, particularly teen-agers. The reported familial incidence raises, among others, the question of a possible role of psychological or behavioral factors.
Methods:
This survey was performed with a validated 43-item self-administered questionnaire eliciting information about back pain history, family characteristics, children's activities, and psychological parameters. All schoolchildren (n = 615), ages 12-17 years, in two secondary schools (Fribourg, Switzerland) were surveyed. The response rate was 98%.
Results:
Reported lifetime prevalence of back pain was 74%. Lumbar pain was the most frequent localization of pain (69% of back pain). The measured psychological factors were significantly associated with reported nonspecific low back pain and its consequences as well as with sibling history of low back pain.
Conclusions:
The study suggests that psychological factors play a role in children's reporting of nonspecific low back pain.