Indian Journal of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy - An International Journal

Low Back Pain (LBP) is becoming one of the most common musculoskeletal complaints of pregnant women and incidence for the same is increasing. It begins between the 20th and the 28th week of gestation. Approximately 50–80% of women experience back pain at some stage of pregnancy.

i) Find the prevalence of LBP in pregnant women ii) Compare the level of disability among pregnant women with or without LBP.

A cross sectional study was done on 116 pregnant women. Inquiry was done related to the presence of LBP; Case & Control group were formed. Modified Oswestry Low Back Disability Questionnaire (MODQ) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were taken to assess disability and pain intensity respectively. Pain assessment was taken in detail in LBP women.

56 participants were having back pain, in that 21(37.5%) were multigravida and 60 participants were not having back pain; out of which 29(48.3%) were multigravida. The prevalence of LBP is 48.2%. The average VAS of women having LBP is 3.16 with SD of 1.15. The mean disability score of pregnant women having with and without LBP was 24.60 with SD of 11.9 and 3.9 with SD of 5.5 respectively. VAS and Disability score were significantly co-related. (r=0.72, p<0.001). The multiple regression analysis revealed that Age, BMI, Gestational Age, Gravida were not associated with disability score.

The prevalence of perceived LBP in pregnant women was significant and the disability level in the women with LBP is greater compared to those without LBP.