Keywords
Abstract
Introduction: Low back pain ranks as the ninth leading cause of health-related disability worldwide across all age groups and genders. It is common among adolescents, and previous studies suggest it negatively affects their daily activities. This condition may persist into adulthood. The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics and impact of low back pain in adolescents. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving schoolchildren from urban schools in the Talavera de la Reina Health Area. Variables included age, sex, time spent exercising, sleep duration, frequency and intensity of low back pain, need for medical or physiotherapy care, school absenteeism, reduced physical activity, and difficulty performing daily tasks due to low back pain. A descriptive analysis of the variables was performed. The Chi-square test was used to assess relationships between variables. Binary logistic regression was conducted, adjusted for potential confounders, and results were expressed as Odds Ratios (ORs). Results: 476 schoolchildren reported lumbar pain; 234 (49%) boys and 242 (51%) girls. In the analysis of the relationship between the intensity of pain and the variables studied, boys showed significant differences in the adequate time spent in sleep (P = 0.003), as well as in the difficulty in carrying the backpack (P = 0.045) and in remaining on the ground for 10 minutes (P = 0.038). Among girls, age was significantly associated with the intensity of pain (P = 0.032), and greater difficulties were observed in remaining seated for 45 minutes on the school bench (P = 0.001) and in reaching objects located in high places (P = 0.036) in groups with greater intensity of pain. Although these associations are coherent with functional patrons previously described in the population with pain, the odds ratios obtained, greater than 1 in all models, show how the intensity of pain relates to the need for health care, physical activity, school activity and limitations in activities of daily life in this adolescent sample. Conclusions: Differences were observed between boys and girls in relation to low back pain and factors such as sleep, age, pain frequency, need for medical care, physical activity, and functional limitations in daily and school tasks. Pain intensity was significantly associated with the need for healthcare and medication, reduced physical activity, and difficulty performing basic tasks, underscoring its impact on adolescents' quality of life. Future studies should incorporate early interventions with long-term follow-up of their results. These studies should allow us to analyze whether interventions on postural education, sleep habits or the promotion of physical activity have an effect on back pain and their relationship with daily functionality and the need for health care among adolescents.References
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