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Disorders predict Back
Pain in Women
Newswise — Women with incontinence,
respiratory disorders and gastrointestinal
problems have increased risk for development
of back pain, according to research reported
in The Journal of Pain, the peer
review publication of the American Pain
Society.
Australian pain researchers reviewed case
histories of some 7500 young, mid-age and
older women who participated in the
Australian Longitudinal Study of Women’s
Health who reported no back pain during the
preceding 12 months. They were followed for
up to four years.
The study was intended to show that
identifying some conditions that may
predispose women to back pain later in life
is one way to assist in prevention and help
control the cost of a widespread and
expensive health problem.
Results showed that women with preexisting
incontinence, breathing difficulties and
gastrointestinal disorders were more likely
to develop back pain than women without
these afflictions.
The prevalence of new back pain found in the
study participants was 37 percent in the
younger group, 39 percent for the mid-age
women and 16 percent in the older group.
The authors noted it was clear from their
data that associations between incontinence
and respiratory disorders and back pain were
attributable to changes in control of trunk
muscles occurring over time.
For example, frequent sneezing and coughing
caused by allergies are associated with
trunk muscle co-contraction and increased
spinal loading, which can lead to back pain.
Regarding the relationship of
gastrointestinal problems and back pain, the
authors explained that altered abdominal
muscle activity is common in disorders like
irritable bowel syndrome, and back pain may
be a symptom of gastrointestinal problems.
However, the basis for this association is
unclear.
This is the first study linking
incontinence, respiratory disorders and
gastrointestinal problems with development
of back pain in women.
The implications of the findings for
treatment options could focus on improving
trunk muscle control to reduce potential for
developing back pain.
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