• Dipika Bansal, Muhammed Favas Kt, Saroj Kundan Bharti, and Babita Ghai.
• Department of Pharmacy Practice, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Mohali, Punjab, India.
• Pain Physician. 2023 Sep 1; 26 (5): E549E556E549-E556.

BackgroundChronic low back pain (CLBP) is a common and significant cause of disability globally. In their lifetime, 70% to 80% of adults will have low back discomfort at some point. Even though CLBP is a very disabling disorder, information about its prevalence and associated factors is sparse in the literature.ObjectivesWe aimed to determine the prevalence of CLBP and its risk factors among an adult population, as well as related health concerns and health-seeking behaviors.Study DesignCross-sectional study.SettingA tertiary care setting in Chandigarh, India from November 2017 through February 2020.MethodsAdults of either gender who provided informed consent were included in the study. Sociodemographic and CLBP awareness data were collected using a standard questionnaire. Prevalence was expressed as proportion of sample, with 95% CI. For categorical and quantitative data, the chi squared and independent t test were utilized. Logistic regression was applied to identify significant risk variables and outcomes. A P value of <= 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsA total of 2,847 patients were enrolled, with a mean (SD) age of 38 (14) years; 61% of them were men. These patients had a CLBP lifetime prevalence of 16% (95% CI, 15-17; 457/2,847). In addition, 62% (285/457) of these patients visited their doctor/physician more than 10 times and 23% (103/457) sought the advice of 2 physicians to treat their CLBP. Increasing age (odds ratio[OR], 1.040, 95% CI, 1.032-1.049; P < 0.001), being underweight (OR, 3.315; 95% CI, 1.494-7.359; P < 0.003) and increasing pain frequency (OR, 1.616; 95% CI, 1.139-2.293; P < 0.007) were identified as potential CLBP risks.LimitationsThe study was carried out in a single tertiary hospital in northern India; hence its results cannot be extrapolated. Also, we were unable to categorize CLBP based on how severe the symptoms were, such as complaint-only or debilitating.ConclusionAn effective, supervised program addressing the younger productive population to maintain a healthy weight, give up smoking, and encourage an active lifestyle should be implemented.Key WordsChronic low back pain, prevalence, health concerns, risk factors, public health.

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