Epidemiology of Low Back Pain in Saudi Arabia

Background: Low Back Pain (LBP) is a common disorder involving the muscles and bones of the back. The patients ranged in age from 15 to 52 years. The condition may be further categorized by the underlying etiology as either mechanical, non-mechanical, or referred pain. Little is known about the epidemiology of this condition in the Saudi Arabia.

Aim: To review epidemiology of LBP in the Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A computer-based literature search was conducted using relevant keywords to retrieve studies conducted in Saudi Arabia relating to LBP. Fifteen articles were identified initially. After screening for exclusion criteria and retrieving full texts, a total of Twelve articles was used for this study.

Results: Seven studies were cross-sectional and found a prevalence and pattern ranging from 53.2% to 79.17%. Studies about risk factors/prognostic markers were conducted in clinical-settings; using a case-control design mostly (n=4) and Cohort study (n=1). Vitamin D deficiency, to determine the correlation between the vitamin deficiency and pain.

Conclusion: Low Back Pain has multifactorial risks, etiology and increased incidence and prevalence.

Recommendation: Future studies in the Saudi Arabia should focus upon surveying the extent of LBP, identifying various cultural risk factors and utilization of LBP markers in diagnostic and prognostic enforcement.