Low back pain in primary care
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32385/rpmgf.v21i3.10136Keywords:
Low Back Pain, Primary Care, Prevalence, AdultsAbstract
Introduction: Low back pain is a common reason for consultation in primary care. Its high prevalence is known in different countries; therefore it is considered a Public Health problem. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence low back pain in adults attending a Portuguese health centre - Senhora da Hora; to establish its characteristics; to analyse the relationship with sociodemographic variables; to describe the patients therapeutic behaviour. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in the population of adults 18 to 65 years old, registered at the Senhora da Hora Health Centre. A random sample of 300 individuals was selected. A questionnaire by telephone interview was applied. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed. Significance level of 0,05 was used. Results: The prevalence of low back pain was 49%. The pain was characterized from 39,3% as having a duration of 1 day to 1 week and 67% of the cases described an intensity of 4 -7 in the pain scale. The more frequent therapeutic behaviour followed was to visit a physician (35,9%) and self-medication (31%). Low back pain was the cause of labour absenteeism in 17% of the cases. There was a significant association of low back pain with age and marital status. Discussion: Low back pain is a prevalent problem among Portuguese adults, which they consider important. The evaluation of the age and marital status may be important to follow and prevent low back pain. Future studies will be important to further investigation of the association between these variables and low back pain.Downloads
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