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Children Research for Doctors
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Low Back Pain
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1. Watson, KD et al. Low back pain in schoolchildren: Occurrence and characteristics. Pain 2002; 97(1-2): 87-92.
Low back pain in adolescents is perceived to be uncommon in the clinic setting; however, studies have suggested that it may be an important and increasing problem in this age-group. This study looked at important symptom characteristics of low back pain at young ages such as:
- Duration
- Periodicity
- Intensity
- Disability
- Health seeking behaviour.
A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted including 1446 children aged 11-14 years in the North-West of England.
A self-complete questionnaire was used to assess the above mentioned characteristics.
An additional self-complete questionnaire amongst parents sought to validate pain reporting.
The 1-month period prevalence of low back pain was 24%. It was higher in girls than boys (29 vs. 19%) and increased with age in both sexes.
Of those reporting low back pain, 94% experienced some disability, with the most common reports being of difficulty carrying school bags.
Despite this high rate of disability, few sought medical attention.
Adolescent low back pain is common although medical attention is rarely sought.
Such symptoms in childhood, particularly as they are so common, may have important consequences for chronic low back pain in adulthood.
2. Wedderkopp N. et al. Back pain reporting pattern in a Danish population-based sample of children and adolescents. Spine 2001; 26(17): 1879-1883.
This study investigated the 1-month prevalence of neck, middle back, and low back pain and the consequences these disorder may have in relation to age and gender.
A cross-sectional survey of 806 pupils in Odense, Denmark was performed.
This survey included children and adolescents ages 8 to 10 and 14 to 16 years obtained through two-stage cluster sampling from schools stratified according to school type, location, and socioeconomic character of the uptake area.
Information on back pain within the preceding month, obtained through a standardized interview of 481 children and 325 adolescents, was categorized according to area of pain, age, and gender.
The consequences of back pain also were studied.
RESULTS:
The 1-month prevalence of back pain was 39%. Thoracic pain is most common in childhood, whereas thoracic pain and lumbar pain are equally common in adolescence.
Neck pain and pain in more than one area of the spine are rare in both age groups.
Of those who had back pain, 38% also reported some type of consequence, usually either visits to a medical physician or diminished physical activities.
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