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Acute low back pain in high school adolescents in Southern Brazil: prevalence and associated factors

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of acute low back pain (ALBP) and associated factors in high school students from a Southern Brazilian city.

Methods

The study was cross-sectional and interviewed 1,233 students 13- to 19-year-olds, attending high schools. A total of 25 schools were included in the sample (15 state institutions, 7 private, 2 federal and 1 municipal). The ALBP was evaluated using two questions. The outcome was LBP in the previous 30 days.

Results

The prevalence of ALBP was 13.7%. Non-white students, who commuted to school walking, showed a higher prevalence of ALBP. The prevalence of ALBP is relatively high.

Conclusions

Further studies with follow-ups to adulthood are needed to investigate whether physical cumulative loads on the lumbar spine (for example, duration/transport, school bags and inadequate school furniture) during adolescence, may influence the development of ALBP later in life.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Post graduate program in Physical Education, Federal University of Pelotas, Rua Luiz de Camões, 625 Bairro Três Vendas, Pelotas, RS, CEP 96055-630, Brazil

    Antonio Carlos Onofrio, Marcelo Cozzensa da Silva, Marlos Rodrigues Domingues & Airton José Rombaldi

  2. Physical Activity Epidemiology Research Group, Pelotas, Brazil

    Marcelo Cozzensa da Silva, Marlos Rodrigues Domingues & Airton José Rombaldi

Authors
  1. Antonio Carlos Onofrio
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  2. Marcelo Cozzensa da Silva
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  3. Marlos Rodrigues Domingues
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  4. Airton José Rombaldi
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Marcelo Cozzensa da Silva.

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Onofrio, A.C., da Silva, M.C., Domingues, M.R. et al. Acute low back pain in high school adolescents in Southern Brazil: prevalence and associated factors. Eur Spine J 21, 1234–1240 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-011-2056-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-011-2056-3

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