Abstract
Background: Chronic back pain is rarely the sole health problem. Data concerning the association between comorbidities and different stages of chronic back pain in the German adult population are lacking. Methods: Postal questionnaire data were collected for 3,765 persons (aged 18-75 years) in 4 German cities. Comorbidities and different stages of back pain chronification were determined. Results: The prevalence and number of comorbidities varied with the extent of back pain chronification. Approximately one-third of individuals with a high degree of back pain chronicity (stages 2 and 3) received medical treatment for three or more comorbidities compared to 5% of those without amplified back pain (stage 0). Conclusion: Treatment concepts for chronic back pain have to consider comorbidities also present and focusing exclusively on the pain problem seems inappropriate.
Translated title of the contribution | Amplified back pain and comorbidity in the population |
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Original language | German |
Journal | Schmerz |
Volume | 23 |
Issue number | 3 |
Pages (from-to) | 275-283 |
Number of pages | 9 |
ISSN | 0932-433X |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 06.2009 |