Objective
To perform a systematic review of the global prevalence of low back pain, and to examine the influence that case definition, prevalence period, and other variables have on prevalence.

Methods
We conduced a new systematic review of the global prevalence of low back pain that included general population studies published between 1980 and 2009. A total of 165 studies from 54 countries were identified. Of these, 64% had been published since the last comparable review.

Results
Low back pain was shown to be a major problem throughout the world, with the highest prevalence among female individuals and those aged 40–80 years. After adjusting for methodologic variation, the mean ± SEM point prevalence was estimated to be 11.9 ± 2.0%, and the 1-month prevalence was estimated to be 23.2 ± 2.9%.

Conclusion
As the population ages, the global number of individuals with low back pain is likely to increase substantially over the coming decades. Investigators are encouraged to adopt recent recommendations for a standard definition of low back pain and to consult a recently developed tool for assessing the risk of bias of prevalence studies.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/art.34347

A systematic review of the global prevalence of low back pain

国際生活機能分類(International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: ICF)にみた福祉・保健・医療の専門職協働における連携に関する貢献と課題

Supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (to Dr Hoy and Prof
Vos), the Australian Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing (to Dr Smith
(University of Sydney, Institute of Bone and Joint Research) and Prof March), the
Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (Postgraduate Scholarship
569772 to Dr Hoy and Practitioner Fellowships 334010 (2005–2009) and 606429
(2010–2014) to Prof Buchbinder, and the Ageing and Alzheimers Research
Foundation (Asst Prof Blyth).

https://ard.bmj.com/content/annrheumdis/73/6/968.full.pdf

The global burden of low back pain: estimates from the Global Burden of Disease 2010 study

Objective: Nociceptive and neuropathic components both contribute to pain. Since these components require different pain management strategies, correct pain diagnosis before and during treatment is highly desirable. As low back pain (LBP) patients constitute an important subgroup of chronic pain patients, we addressed the following issues: (i) to establish a simple, validated screening tool to detect neuropathic pain (NeP) components in chronic LBP patients, (ii) to determine the prevalence of neuropathic pain components in LBP in a large-scale survey, and (iii) to determine whether LBP patients with an NeP component suffer from worse, or different, co-morbidities.Methods: In co-operation with the German Research Network on Neuropathic Pain we developed and validated the painDETECT questionnaire (PD‐Q) in a prospective, multicentre study and subsequently applied it to approximately 8000 LBP patients.Results: The PD‐Q is a reliable screening tool with high sensitivity, specificity and positive pred...

https://informahealthcare.com/doi/pdf/10.1185/030079906x132488

painDETECT: a new screening questionnaire to identify neuropathic components in patients with back pain

The recent availability of longitudinal data on the possible association of different lifestyles with dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD) allow some preliminary conclusions on this topic. This review systematically analyses the published longitudinal studies exploring the effect of social network, physical leisure, and non-physical activity on cognition and dementia and then summarises the current evidence taking into account the limitations of the studies and the biological plausibility. For all three lifestyle components (social, mental, and physical), a beneficial effect on cognition and a protective effect against dementia are suggested. The three components seem to have common pathways, rather than specific mechanisms, which might converge within three major aetiological hypotheses for dementia and AD: the cognitive reserve hypothesis, the vascular hypothesis, and the stress hypothesis. Taking into account the accumulated evidence and the biological plausibility of these hypotheses, we conclude that an active and socially integrated lifestyle in late life protects against dementia and AD. Further research is necessary to better define the mechanisms of these associations and better delineate preventive and therapeutic strategies.

https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/laneur/PIIS1474442204007677.pdf

An active and socially integrated lifestyle in late life might protect against dementia.

The increase in overweight and obesity is a worldwide health problem. The first wave of the "German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Adults" (DEGS1), conducted from 2008 through 2011, provides current data about overweight and obesity among adults in Germany. Within DEGS1, a representative sample of the 18- to 79-year-old population was interviewed with regard to health relevant issues and physically examined (n = 7,116). From measurements of body height and weight, the body mass index (BMI) was calculated, which was used to define overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m(2)) and obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2)). Results are stratified for gender, age group, socioeconomic status and region and compared with results from the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey 1998 (GNHIES98) and the National Examination Surveys 1990/92. According to DEGS1, 67.1% of men and 53.0% of women are overweight. The prevalence of overweight has not changed compared to GNHIES98. The prevalence of obesity, however, has risen substantially, especially among men: in GNHIES98, 18.9% of men and 22.5% of women were obese, in DEGS1, these figures were 23.3% and 23.9%, respectively. The increase in obesity occurred especially among young adults. An English full-text version of this article is available at SpringerLink as supplemental.

/pdf/ubergewicht-und-adipositas-in-deutschland-3pprl26lq6.pdf

Übergewicht und Adipositas in Deutschland

/pdf/overweight-and-obesity-in-germany-3g4xtthqc1.pdf

Overweight and obesity in Germany

Back pain is one of the most common complaints in the general population and chronic back pain is a major Public Health burden. However, the prevalence of chronic back pain in Germany is not known. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of chronic back pain in the general adult population in Germany and to identify highly affected population groups. A nation-wide computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) survey was conducted with 8,318 men and women aged 18 years and older residing in German households. Participants were selected using the Gabler-Hader telephone sampling method and the next-birthday method. The one-year prevalence of chronic back pain defined as daily or almost daily back pain over a period of three months was 16 % in men and 22 % in women, the lifetime prevalence 24 % in men and 30 % in women. The 12-months prevalence of any back pain was 66 % in women and 58 % in men. Back pain on the day preceding the interview was reported by 18 % of men and 27 % of women and had a median intensity on a 1 - 10 point scale of 5 in women and 4 in men. Factors independently associated with chronic back pain in the past 12 months were age, female sex, a history of arthritis, self-reported depression, lower educational level, current unemployment, overweight or obesity, no sports, smoking and living with a partner. In conclusion, chronic back pain is a highly prevalent complaint in the general population in Germany. The association not only with bone and joint diseases but also with depression, a lower level of education and with certain lifestyle behaviours emphasises that back pain should not be viewed only in the context of the spine.

Chronische Rückenschmerzen in der Allgemeinbevölkerung in Deutschland 2002/2003: Prävalenz und besonders betroffene Bevölkerungsgruppen

Armut, soziale Ungleichheit und Gesundheit: Expertise des Robert-Koch-Instituts zum 2. Armuts- und Reichtumsbericht der Bundesregierung

The German Health Update (GEDA) study is one component of the recently established nationwide health monitoring system administered by the Robert Koch Institute. The repeated cross-sectional GEDA surveys aim to provide current data on health and disease, health determinants and time trends in health and morbidity in the adult population in Germany. This forms the basis for planning requirements and recommendations for public health policy.Between 2008 and 2013, three GEDA waves were carried out, involving a total of 62,606 computer-assisted telephone interviews with adults in Germany, living in private household, and reachable via landline.A core set of indicators was used in all GEDA waves to gather information on subjective health and health-related quality of life, chronic diseases, injuries, impairment to health and disabilities, mental health, health behaviours, social determinants, use of health services and socio-demographic characteristics.The data from the GEDA surveys are provided for public use and epidemiological research. After submitting an application form, the data are accessible from: [http://www.rki.de/EN/Content/Health_Monitoring/Public_Use_Files/public_use_file_node.htm].

/pdf/data-resource-profile-german-health-update-geda-the-health-2qt2dpcgpp.pdf

Thomas Ziese

Papers

Übergewicht und Adipositas in Deutschland

Overweight and obesity in Germany

Chronische Rückenschmerzen in der Allgemeinbevölkerung in Deutschland 2002/2003: Prävalenz und besonders betroffene Bevölkerungsgruppen

Armut, soziale Ungleichheit und Gesundheit: Expertise des Robert-Koch-Instituts zum 2. Armuts- und Reichtumsbericht der Bundesregierung

Data Resource Profile: German Health Update (GEDA)—the health interview survey for adults in Germany