The six-month incidence of clinically significant low back pain in the Saskatchewan adult population

Study Design. A population-based, longitudinal, mailed survey was conducted. Objective. To investigate the 6-month incidence and determinants of clinically significant low back pain in the Saskatchewan adult population. Summary of Background Data. Few studies have investigated the incidence of significant low back pain in general populations. When available, such studies often differ in the assessment of pain severity. This lack of consensus in measuring pain severity results in large differences in incidence rates. Methods. A questionnaire requesting information on low back pain and other health conditions was mailed to randomly chosen individuals, ages 20 to 69, residing in the province of Saskatchewan, Canada. Of the other 1131 (55%) who responded at baseline, 848 had not experienced clinically significant low back pain during the past 6 months. Clinically significant low back pain was assessed using the Chronic Pain Quesstionnaire, a 7-item scale that measures the intensity of chronic pain and associated disability. Individuals with no clinically significant low back pain were followed up at 6 months. Results. At the follow-up assessment, 50 individuals reported clinically significant low back pain, representing a cumulative incidence of 8% (95% confidence interval 6-10.4). In logistic regression models, marital status, rural residency, and history of back and neck pain were associated with the onset of clinically significant low back pain. Conclusions. The 6-month incidence of clinically significant low back pain is high in Saskatchewan. It is important to prevent this condition because of the economic and social costs associated with it.