• T Reigo, T Timpka, and H Tropp.
• Linköping Spine Centre, Institution of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sweden.
• Scand J Prim Health Care. 1999 Mar 1;17(1):17-21.

ObjectivesTo investigate the prevalence of back pain in a general population aged between 20 and 59 years.PopulationA representative sample of 2000 individuals from Ostergotland County, Sweden (population 400,000).Study DesignCross-sectional study using a questionnaire including the pain drawing.ResultsThe observed point prevalence was 28% (95% confidence interval 26-31%). The adjusted prevalence taking into account the non-responders was 23% (21-25%). Lumbar pain with radiation was reported by 40%, while 4% had only cervical pain with radiation. Twelve per cent were on sick-leave due to back pain. Activity of daily life was affected mainly in the group of men aged 40-59 and only in household tasks. The back problems did not affect social activity.ConclusionsThe prevalence of back problems in the vocational ages was found to be 23%. Only small parts of a pain population are on sick-leave or have changed working tasks because of back problems. The distribution of pain in most cases is combined with radiation to extremities and not isolated to a single region. The combination of different localisations shows the pain problem to be more than just a "low back" problem.

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