A longitudinal study of back pain and radiological changes in the lumbar spines of middle aged women. I. Clinical findings
Symmons, D.P.; van Hemert, A.M.; Vandenbroucke, J.P.; Valkenburg, H.A.
Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases 50(3): 158-161
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-4967 PMID: 1826597 DOI: 10.1136/ard.50.3.158Document Number: 316935
The correlates of back pain were analyzed by logistic regression in 2 groups of middle-aged Dutch women, 236 with recurrent back pain at the beginning of the study and 241 without; and followed, in the same subjects 9 years later. Subjects were selected from a population survey of rheumatic and cardiovascular diseases in Zoetermeer, the Hague, Holland, in 1975-1978. Initially they took a questionnaire, and had their height, weight, blood pressure, spinal movement and body mass recorded. In the follow up in 1985-1986 a questionnaire, lumbar spine radiographs, height and weight were taken. Initially a higher proportion of women with back pain had taken oral contraceptives, smoked, had cystitis, had frequent headaches currently, and other joint pain. Those with back pain and more limited spinal movement, less ability to do household tasks, 5.5% had changed jobs as a result of back pain, 54% had pain 3 months, and 46% had resorted to bed rest. At the follow up, those with back pain were more likely to use estrogens. 72% of those who initially had back pain still had it, compared to 24% of the initially pain-free now having back pain(relative risk 2.99). Continuing back pain was correlated only with pain in hip or knee, on univariate analysis and stepwise logistic regression. This is the 1st report of an association between use of oral contraceptives and recurrent back pain.