• Ulla Karjalainen, Markus Paananen, Annaleena Okuloff, Simo Taimela, Juha Auvinen, Minna Männikkö, and Jaro Karppinen.
• Oulu Center for Cell-Matrix Research, Biocenter and Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland. ulla.karjalainen@oulu.fi
• Spine. 2013 Jun 1;38(13):1105-11.

Study DesignCross-sectional study in a subcohort of the 1986 Northern Finland Birth Cohort (n = 1987).ObjectiveTo investigate the role of environmental factors and LBP history in sciatica symptoms among Finnish young adults.Summary Of Background DataHistory of low back pain (LBP), smoking, and male sex are associated with sciatica in adult populations. The role of the environmental determinants of sciatica has not been evaluated in populations consisting of only adolescents.MethodsSciatic symptoms and environmental exposures were elicited by a mailed questionnaire and the associations were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression.ResultsFemale sex was associated with severe sciatica at 18 years (OR, 3.9; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.6-9.3). Both reported LBP at 16 years and LBP requiring consultation of a health care professional were associated with mild sciatica at 18 years (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.3-4.9; and OR, 3.8; 95% CI, 1.2-11.9). In addition, LBP at 16 years requiring consultation of a health care professional was associated with severe sciatica at 18 years (OR, 5.0; 95% CI, 1.7-15.3). Smoking, obesity, physical workload, and level of physical activity were not associated with sciatica.ConclusionFemales reported sciatic pain more often than males. LBP at 16 years predicted sciatica at 18 years.Level Of Evidence2.

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