Document Detail


Increased prevalence of low back pain among physiotherapy students compared to medical students.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21136121     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Some studies have demonstrated that physiotherapists have a high prevalence of low back pain (LBP). The association between physiotherapy students, who are potentially exposed to the same LBP occupational risks as graduates, and LBP has never been demonstrated. The objective of the study is to evaluate the association between undergraduate physiotherapy study and LBP. The study design includes a cross-sectional study. A questionnaire-based study was carried out with physiotherapy and medical students. LBP was measured as lifetime, 1-year and point prevalence. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to find the factors associated with LBP. Bivariate analyses were also performed to assess differences between LBP characteristics in the two courses. 77.9% of the students had LBP at some point in their lives, 66.8% in the last year and 14.4% of them reported they were suffering from LBP at the moment of answering the questionnaire. Physiotherapy students reported a higher prevalence of LBP when compared with the medical students in all measures. In the logistic regression model, physiotherapy students (A-OR 2.51; 95% CI 1.35-4.67; p = 0.003), and being exposed to the undergraduate study for more than four semesters (A-OR 2.55; 95% CI 1.43-4.55; p = 0.001) were independently associated with LBP. There were no differences between the courses concerning pain intensity and disability. As it was a cross-sectional study, we were not able to observe accurately if there is an increasing incidence of LBP during the course. Also, we did not intend to identify which activities in the course were associated with the development of LBP. This study clearly demonstrated an association between undergraduate physiotherapy study and LBP. The length of course exposure is also associated with LBP.
Authors:
Asdrubal Falavigna; Alisson Roberto Teles; Thaís Mazzocchin; Gustavo Lisbôa de Braga; Fabrício Diniz Kleber; Felipe Barreto; Juliana Tosetto Santin; Daniel Barazzetti; Lucas Lazzaretti; Bruna Steiner; Natália Laste Beckenkamp
Publication Detail:
Type:  Comparative Study; Journal Article     Date:  2010-12-07
Journal Detail:
Title:  European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society     Volume:  20     ISSN:  1432-0932     ISO Abbreviation:  Eur Spine J     Publication Date:  2011 Mar 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-03-04     Completed Date:  2012-02-08     Revised Date:  2012-03-01    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9301980     Medline TA:  Eur Spine J     Country:  Germany    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  500-5     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Universidade de Caxias do Sul, Rua General Arcy da Rocha Nóbrega 401/602, Caxias do Sul-RS CEP 95040-290, Brazil. asdrubalmd@gmail.com
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adolescent
Adult
Cross-Sectional Studies
Disability Evaluation
Female
Humans
Low Back Pain / epidemiology*
Male
Occupational Diseases / epidemiology*
Physical Therapy Modalities / adverse effects*
Questionnaires / standards
Students, Health Occupations*
Students, Medical*
Young Adult

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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