Characteristics of Low Back Pain in Pregnancy, Risk Factors, and Its Effects on Quality of Life

Abstract

Background: Low back pain is a common problem experienced during pregnancy, negatively affecting quality of life. Aims: The study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of low back pain during pregnancy and its effects on the quality of life. Design: This was a descriptive and cross-sectional study. Settings: Its setting was the Kastamonu State Hospital Obstetrics and Gynecology clinics. Participants/Subjects: The study consisted of 400 pregnant women. Methods: The sample consisted of 400 pregnant women. Data were collected using an introductory information form, a back pain evaluation form, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Results: In terms of back pain, 75.3% of the participants experienced back pain during their current pregnancy. The mean VAS score for back pain during their current pregnancy was 4.91±1.88. Low back pain was generally experienced in the third trimester (85.5%) and in the lumbar area (45.5%). Factors associated with low back pain included income status, trimester, gestational weight gain, frequent urinary tract infections, a hunchback posture, having experienced low back pain during previous pregnancies, and a history of low back pain. The mean percentage score on the ODI, which assesses the effect of low back pain on functional status, was 31.87% ± 15.56%, and for the majority of the participants (45.7%), low back pain was found to slightly limit their activities of daily living. Conclusions: The prevalence of low back pain in pregnancy is quite high, and low back pain slightly limits women's activities of daily living.