Demographic characteristics of patients suffering from low back pain attending outpatient department in Burdwan Medical College and Hospital

Abstract

Background: Chronic low back pain is a multidimensional issue which is expensive due to necessary spending towards repeated treatment. LBP is considered to be the most common, and costly disabling musculo-skeletal condition. Materials and Methods: Study area: Burdwan Medical College, Department of Orthopedics and Radiodiagnosis. Study population: The patients attending the OPD of Burdwan Medical College & Hospital with complaint of LBP. Inclusion criteria: Age group: 20-60 years Sex: Both sexes. Duration: More than 3 weeks. Exclusion criteria: Traumatic back pain Patient having history of surgical interventions. Patient having any co-morbid conditions like hypertension, diabetes mellitus, etc. Patient having other musculo-skeletal pain like cervical spondylosis, etc. Study period: January 2015 - October 2016 Sample size: One hundred (n=100) Study design: Hospital based cross sectional socio-demographic study. Study tools: Preformed questionnaire. Weighing machine. Measuring tape. Skiagram of LS spine. MRI of LS spine. Data analysis: Data analysis was done accordingly. Result analysis: There was a female preponderance among the study population (1.3:1=Female:Male). LBP was found to be most common in the age group of 31-40 with mean age of population was 41.82. Distribution of the study population according to BMI revealed equal distribution. LBP was found to be most common in the heavy lifestyle(48%). LBP was most common in the lower socio-economic status(61%). A total of 41% population suffering from LBP is in mental stress and victim of depression. Majority of the patients with depression were of low socio-economic status. Conclusion: In conclusion, female population who tend to be over-weight and from a low socio-economic background with a definite psychosocial component is at risk. The study is small and direct association cannot be assessed but the epidemiological parameters clearly indicate preponderance of different factors associated with LBP. From this understanding, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation protocol can be planned and prevention can be achieved.