• Ingrid Heuch, Ivar Heuch, Knut Hagen, Elin Pettersen Sørgjerd, Bjørn Olav Åsvold, and John-Anker Zwart.
• Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Department of Research, Innovation and Education, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway ingrid.heuch@ous-hf.no.
• BMJ Open. 2019 Sep 12; 9 (9): e031692.

ObjectiveLow back pain (LBP) is a major problem in modern society and it is important to study possible risk factors for this disorder. People with diabetes are often affected by LBP, but whether diabetes represents a risk factor for LBP has not been studied in detail. The aim of this study was to explore the association between diabetes and subsequent risk of chronic LBP.DesignAn 11-year follow-up study.SettingThe Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT2; 1995-1997) and HUNT3 (2006-2008) surveys of Nord-Trøndelag County in Norway.Main Outcome MeasureChronic LBP, defined as LBP persisting at least 3 months continuously during the last year.ParticipantsA total of 18 972 persons without chronic LBP at baseline in HUNT2, and 6802 persons who reported chronic LBP at baseline in HUNT2.MethodsAssociations between diabetes and risk of chronic LBP among individuals aged 30-69 years were examined by generalised linear modelling.ResultsMen without chronic LBP at baseline showed a significant association between diabetes and risk of chronic LBP (relative risk (RR) 1.43, 95% CI 1.04 to 1.96, p=0.043). In women, no association was found (RR 1.01, 95% CI 0.69 to 1.48, p=0.98). No association could be established between diabetes and recurrence or persistence of chronic LBP after 11 years in either sex.ConclusionsMen with a diagnosis of diabetes may have a higher risk of subsequently experiencing chronic LBP.© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

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