Prevalence of Sciatica in Pregnancy and Its Impact on Quality of Life - A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Sciatica is a rare clinical entity of LBP that is experienced during pregnancy which can be caused due to various factors and may or may not affect the quality of life during pregnancy. Objectives: The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of sciatica in pregnant women and its related quality of life in pregnant women with sciatica symptoms Methods: A cross sectional study including total of 812 who are in their third trimester pregnant women who visited the Obstetrics and Gynaecology outpatient department of SDM hospital and gave the consent were included in this study. Age, BMI, occupation, trimester, MC-LBP, PR-PBP and sciatica symptoms were recorded. The severity of the sciatica symptoms were measured using Sciatica Bothersomeness Index and quality of life was assessed using WHOQOL-BREF Results: Prevalence was found out to be 16.9% in 812 pregnant ladies. Age, BMI, MC-LBP, PR-LBP, were significantly associated with sciatica in the third trimester of pregnancy. Physical domain of WHOQOL-BREF had a significance difference between the sciatica pregnant women and non-sciatica pregnant women. Conclusion: Prevalence rate is 16.9% and is associated with QOL with or without sciatica symptoms in third trimester pregnant women. Keywords: Pregnancy, Sciatica, QOL, pregnancy related back pain.