Chronic back pain among Brazilian adults: data from the 2019 National Health Survey

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: To estimate the prevalence of chronic back pain (CBP) and its associated factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed the 2019 National Health Survey, with 88,531 adults, using logistic regression to identify associated factors. Results: CBP was reported by 21.6% of adults and was more likely to occur among women (odds ratio — OR=1.27; 95% confidence interval — 95%CI 1.19–1.35), increased with age: 25–34 years (OR=1.30; 95%CI 1.11–1.51), 35–44 (OR=1.78; 95%CI 1.54–2.07), 45–54 years (OR=2.23; 95%CI 1.91–2.59), 55–64 years (OR=2.47; 95%CI 2.12–2.88), and 65 years or older (OR=2.17; 95%CI 1.85–2.54); among smokers (OR=1.24; 95%CI 1.13–1.35); ex-smokers (OR=1.30; 95%CI 1.21–1.39); those who mentioned heavy housework (OR=1.41; 95%CI 1.31–1.53); obesity (OR=1.12; 95%CI 1.03–1.21); hypertension (OR=1.21; 95%CI 1.11–1.32); high cholesterol (OR=1.53; 95%CI 1.42–1.65); with self-rated health — with a very good reference — in the gradients: good (OR=1.38; 95%CI 1.23–1.55), regular (OR=2.64; 95%CI 2.34–2.98), poor (OR=4.24; 95%CI 3.64–4.94), and very poor (OR=5.24; 95%CI 4.13–6.65); its likelihood was lower in adults with complete elementary school/incomplete high school (OR=0.82; 95%CI 0.75–0.90) and complete high school/incomplete higher education (OR=0.87; 95%CI 0.81–0.95). Conclusion: Back pain has a high prevalence and shows associations with demographic and socioeconomic factors, lifestyle, chronic diseases, and self-rated health.