EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE PREVALENCE OF LOW BACK PAIN IN SPINE SURGEONS IN BRAZIL

Abstract

Introduction: Low back pain is defined as pain, muscle spasm, or stiffness between the L1 and L5 vertebrae, below the lower margin of the twelfth rib and above the upper gluteal fold, and may or may not be associated with pain radiating to the lower limbs. Objective: To determine the prevalence of low back pain in spine surgeons. Method: A non-randomized quantitative cross-sectional clinical study was carried out in a sample of 95 spine surgeons in Brazil, with the application of the Oswestry and visual analog pain scales, in addition to a structured questionnaire for the characterization of the participants. Results: Among the studied population, 69.5% were orthopedists, 30.5% were neurosurgeons, and the mean age of the sample was 46 years (±10.6), with neurosurgeons being older than orthopedists. Regarding BMI, the majority (77.8%) were overweight or obese, and seventy-six percent performed physical activity. The prevalence of low back pain was 58.9%. No relevant differences were found in the time spent weekly in surgeries between those who had low back pain and those who did not (p = 0.364). Mean pain intensity was 2.0 (SD = 2.2), statistically (p = 0.025) higher in orthopedists (2.3) when compared to neurosurgeons (1.3). Regarding the ODI score, 98.2% of the surgeons had a minimal disability (0-20%) for daily activities. Conclusion: The prevalence of low back pain in spine surgeons is high and is associated with mild inability to perform daily activities. Level Of Evidence IV; Non-Randomized Quantitative Cross-Sectional Clinical Study.