F. Turgut et al., A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY OF PERSISTENT BACK PAIN AFTER PREGNANCY, European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology, 80(1), 1998, pp. 45-48
Objectives: To determine the prevalence of back pain after delivery an
d its relationship to individual factors. Study design: A cohort of 88
pregnant women, aged 14-46 years, who had suffered from back pain dur
ing pregnancy, and delivered at Aydin Maternity Hospital was selected.
They had been followed up through pregnancy, and 6 months post partum
filled out a questionnaire. The data were analyzed statistically. Res
ults: Follow-up showed that back pain at the time of delivery and 6 mo
nths post partum was reported by 59.1% and 43.2% of the women, respect
ively. The difference in prevalence of back pain between young women a
nd older ones was statistically significant (P=0.000). The number of p
revious pregnancies increased the risk of back pain (P=0.000), but the
re was no difference in prevalence of back pain between women with hea
vy work and without heavy work before pregnancy (P=0.310). Furthermore
, women with a history of back pain before pregnancy were found to exp
erience more intense pain at 6 months post partum compared to those wi
thout a history of back pain before pregnancy (2.1+/-1.0 and 0.4+/-0.4
, respectively, P=0.000). Conclusion: These results indicate that preg
nant women with a previous history of back pain had a higher prevalenc
e of back pain, especially in young multigravid patients. (C) 1998 Els
evier Science Ireland Ltd.