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[Backache in East and West Germany]

R Berger-Schmitt1, T Kohlmann, H Raspe

  • 1Institut für Sozialmedizin, Medizinische Universität Lübeck.

Gesundheitswesen (Bundesverband Der Arzte Des Offentlichen Gesundheitsdienstes (Germany))
|October 1, 1996
PubMed
Summary

East Germans report fewer rheumatic complaints, including back pain, than West Germans, despite similar general health issues. Differences in pain perception and reporting may explain prevalence variations.

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Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Regional health disparities between East and West Germany following reunification.
  • Prevalence and impact of rheumatic complaints, including back pain, on general health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the prevalence of back pain, rheumatic complaints, and general health problems between East and West Germany.
  • To identify similarities and differences in the experience and reporting of rheumatic conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of data from the East German Health Survey (1991/92).
  • Comparison with regional studies from West Germany (Bad Säckingen, Lübeck; 1990-1994).
  • Statistical comparison of prevalence rates, pain intensity, and functional limitations.

Main Results:

  • East Germans reported significantly lower prevalence of back pain and rheumatic complaints compared to West Germans.
  • Both regions showed similar patterns in affected body parts (back, neck, shoulder, knee) and age/sex-specific differences.
  • East Germans reported less intense pain and fewer functional limitations, suggesting different pain perception or reporting behaviors.

Conclusions:

  • While structural similarities exist, lower reported prevalence of rheumatic complaints in East Germany may be influenced by reporting differences rather than solely morbidity.
  • Further research is needed to clarify the extent to which observed differences reflect actual variations in disease prevalence.

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