National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS)
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PRINT ISSN : 2319-7692 Online ISSN : 2319-7706 Issues : 12 per year Publisher : Excellent Publishers Email : editorijcmas@gmail.com / submit@ijcmas.com Editor-in-chief: Dr.M.Prakash Index Copernicus ICV 2018: 95.39 NAAS RATING 2020: 5.38 |
Low back pain in adult population constitutes a major health problem with debilitating consequences on both the sufferer and the society. Initial investigation of the patient with low back pain often includes plain radiography of lumbo-sacral spine. In this study, we tried to establish any correlation between Body Mass Index (BMI) and Low Back Pain (LBP). Identification of any factor which may predispose to or aggravate LBP would be of benefit in the management of the condition. This prospective study of adult out-patients with or without clinical history of low back pain but without injury, referred for lumbo-sacral radiography was conducted at National Orthopedic Hospital and Enugu State University Teaching Hospital both located in Enugu-Nigeria. A total of 114 adult out-patients, including 85 patients with clinical history of LBP was involved. Patient’s weight and height was measured with a health scale. Their BMI were calculated and categorized into four groups with patient’s age and gender bias as follows: less than 18.5kg/m2 “underweight”; 18.5 – 25.0 kg/m2 “normal weight”; 25.1 – 30.0 kg/m2 “overweight” and above 30 kg/m2 “obese”. Antero-posterior and lateral radiographs of lumbo-sacral spine of all the patients were assessed and categorized as follows; radiographs with evidence of spinal degenerative changes or other pathologies as positive report and those without as normal report. Data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis test for correlation. RESULT- BMI was found to be significantly related to patient’s gender and age at P<0.01 and LBP at P<0.05. BMI is a relevant factor of LBP. Increase in BMI leading to overweight or obesity would serve as both aggravator and predictor of LBP. Considering BMI of LBP sufferers without a clear demonstrable etiology could serve as a preliminary diagnosis.
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