LOW BACK PAIN DURING PREGNANCY

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the severity of low back pain during pregnancy included prevalence,
risk factors, and impact on daily living and to study its association with other variables.
Material and Methods: A pre-designed questionnaire was distributed to pregnant women
participating in various prenatal care clinics at Prince Rashid Ben Alhassan hospital, Jordan.
A total of 500 surveys were returned from May 2008 through October 2009. At each
demographic details and issues related to their problems was obtained. Results: Completed
questionnaires were obtained from 500 members over a period of one year. Two hundred
eighty-five (57%) reported LBP during their current pregnancy. The prevalence was not
affected by other variables like gestational age, height, age, and history of LBP without
pregnancy. The occurrence of LBP was significantly correlated with the body weight (pain vs.
no pain; 64.7 ± 9.9 kg. vs. 58.6 ± 10 kg; p =0.003). The majority reported that LBP during
pregnancy caused sleep disturbances (62%) and impaired daily living (56 %). Conclusion: A
large number of pregnant women suffer from LBP and it can be a cause of significant
disability. To reduce this incidence particular attention should be given to maintained proper
body weight.
Key words: low back pain, pregnancy, prevalence