low back pain

Introduction

Low back pain (LBP) is a prevalent condition affecting individuals of all ages and is a leading cause of disability worldwide. It poses significant challenges for healthcare systems due to its complex etiology and the substantial economic burden it imposes.

Key Insights

Prevalence and Impact:
- LBP is a leading cause of disability globally, with a significant increase in years lived with disability attributed to it over recent decades .
- The lifetime prevalence of LBP is high, with estimates ranging from 65% to 84% .
Etiology and Risk Factors:
- Most cases of LBP are non-specific, meaning they lack a clear pathoanatomical cause .
- Risk factors include physically demanding jobs, psychological distress, comorbidities, smoking, and obesity .
Diagnosis and Evaluation:
- Diagnostic evaluation should focus on identifying serious underlying conditions and neurologic impairments, with imaging reserved for specific cases .
- Overuse of imaging and surgical interventions is a common issue, and conservative management is often effective .
Management Strategies:
- Non-pharmacological therapies, including exercise and psychosocial management, are preferred for most patients .
- Education, reassurance, and symptomatic treatment are crucial components of LBP management .
- A multidisciplinary approach that integrates biological, psychological, and social aspects is recommended for effective management .
Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP):
- CLBP is a major cause of disability and has seen a significant increase in prevalence, particularly in aging populations.
- Psychological factors such as stress, depression, and anxiety can influence the severity and persistence of CLBP .

Conclusion

Low back pain is a widespread and complex condition with significant implications for individuals and healthcare systems worldwide. Effective management requires a multidisciplinary approach that prioritizes non-pharmacological therapies and conservative treatment strategies. Addressing the psychological and social dimensions of LBP is essential for improving patient outcomes and reducing the global burden of this condition.

Summary

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Non-specific low back pain

Non-specific low back pain can be effectively managed through education, reassurance, analgesic medicines, non-pharmacological therapies, and timely review, with overuse of imaging, opioids, and surgery being a widespread issue.

Low back pain.

Selective evaluation is crucial to avoid unnecessary tests and surgical procedures, with conservative management being the most effective treatment for most patients with low back pain.

Low back pain

Low back pain management requires a multidisciplinary approach integrating biological, psychological, and social aspects, with progress in understanding psychological, social risk factors, genetics, and brain mechanisms.

Mechanisms of low back pain: a guide for diagnosis and therapy

This paper provides a guide for clinicians to identify specific pain generators in chronic low back pain, aiding in safer and faster diagnosis and therapeutic management.

What low back pain is and why we need to pay attention

Low back pain is a common and leading cause of disability worldwide, with increasing disability and costs in low-income and middle-income countries.

Non-specific low back pain

Non-specific low back pain is a major public health issue, with genetic constitution playing a significant role in its pathogenesis, and self-management with appropriate support is recommended for effective pain management.

Diagnostic Evaluation of Low Back Pain with Emphasis on Imaging

Early diagnostic evaluation focusing on three basic questions can help distinguish between simple back pain and serious underlying diseases or neurologic impairments, with imaging being a key tool.

Epidemiology of low back pain.

Low back pain is a common issue with a prevalence ranging from 8% to 56% in the United States, and its risk factors include physical, social, demographic, and psychosocial factors.

Low Back Pain

Low back pain is often managed with nonpharmacologic therapies, such as exercise and psychosocial management, and may require surgery for severe cases.

Low back pain: a call for action

Low back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide, with its burden growing alongside the aging population and is unrelated to specific spinal abnormalities.

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