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Daily Back Pain Decreases Quality of Life, Increases Heart Disease in Elderly Women
08/23/07
General, Research, Prevention
Back pain that occurs on a daily basis decreases mobility,
life-expectancy, and quality of life while increasing the risk of
coronary heart disease in elderly women, according to a study published
in Spine.
The study analyzed the effects of back pain on 1,484 Australian women ages 70 to 85 who were participating in a 5-year calcium intervention trial. Back pain was self-reported at the start and conclusion of the study. It was characterized as infrequent (once a month or less), frequent (more than once a month), or daily (at least once a day). Other medical data, such as cause of death, coronary heart disease incidence were gathered from medical and death records.
Researchers found daily back pain in elderly women was associated with greater risk of mortality, coronary heart disease-related mortality, and a new diagnosis of coronary heart disease. Even after adjusing for different levels of physical activity and other coronary heart disease risk factors, those findings remained statistically significant.
"The consequences of back pain in elderly people have not been well studied, perhaps because its high frequency has resulted in the symptom being regarded as 'normal'," the authors write. At the study's conclusion, they determined, "Daily back pain is associated with reduced quality of life, mobility and longevity and increased risk of coronary heart events. The adverse health effects of chronic back pain deserve greater recognition."
The Healthway Health Promotion Foundation of Western Australia, the Australasian Menopause Society, and the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia supported this study.
Sources:
Spine. 2007;32:2012-2018.
Medscape
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