Background & Aims

Low back pain is one of the most prevalent symptoms in the global population, with a prevalence ranging from 60 to 80% worldwide, and it also causes the highest rates of occupational absenteeism. However, when it comes to the Afro-Brazilian population, studies are scarce, whether in epidemiological studies or clinical trials, in other words, underreporting the presence and participation of 47% of the Brazilian population. The aim of this study was to identify the presence of acute or chronic nonspecific low back pain, and the levels of low back pain intensity in Afro-Brazilians.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study, conducted from June 2023 to May 2024. Sociodemographic variables were evaluated, the presence of pain (acute less than 3 months, and chronic more than 3 months) was assessed, and the evaluation of pain intensity was done using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (0-10 points), and data collection took place through the RedCap platform.

Results

Of the 322 participants, low back pain was found in 233 Afro-Brazilians, predominantly residents in urban areas of Brazil, with a mean age of 39.45±13.86 years, and 77.9% were female. Acute low back pain was present in 10.6% of the sample with a mean pain intensity of 6.44±2.31, whereas chronic low back pain was present in 87.2% of the participants with a mean pain intensity of 7.25±1.53 points.

Conclusions

Although it is a pioneering study in Brazil, it was possible to identify the significant presence of low back pain in this population and that efforts are necessary to ensure equitable access to and treatment for the community that most uses Brazilian public health services.

References

Vos T, Abajobir AA, Abate KH, Abbafati C, Abbas KM, Abd-Allah F, et al. (2017). Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 328 diseases and injuries for 195 countries, 1990–2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016. Lancet. 390(10100):1211–59.

Morales ME, & Yong RJ (2021). Racial and ethnic disparities in the treatment of chronic pain. Pain Medicine, 22(1), 75–90.

Chibnall, J. T., Dabney, A., & Tait, R. C. (2000). Internist judgments of chronic low back pain. Pain Medicine, 1, 231–237.

Green CR, Anderson KO, Baker TA, et al. The unequal burden of pain: Confronting racial and ethnic disparities in pain. Pain Med 2003;4(3):277– 94.

Smedley, B. D. (2012). The lived experience of race and its health consequences. American Journal of Public Health, 102, 933–935.

Tait RC, Chibnall JT (2014). Racial/ethnic disparities in the assessment and treatment of pain: psychosocial perspectives. Am Psychol. Feb-Mar;69(2):131-41.

Presenting Author

Ingred Merllin Batista de Souza

Poster Authors

Ingred Merllin Batista de Souza

Ph.D. Candidate

University of Sao Paulo

Lead Author

E-mail

Jaiane Rodrigues Vidali Undergraduate student

University of Sao Paulo

Lead Author

E-mail

Rauisa Gonçalves Macena Undergraduate student

University of Sao Paulo

Lead Author

E-mail

Isabela Souza Jorge Undergraduate student

University of Sao Paulo

Lead Author

E-mail

David Rudyard Williams Professor Ph.D.

Harvard University

Lead Author

E-mail

Amélia Pasqual Marques Professor Ph.D.

University of Sao Paulo

Lead Author

E-mail

Topics

  • Racial/Ethnic/Economic Differences/Disparities