Triggers for an episode of sudden onset low back pain: study protocol.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Most research on risk factors for low back pain has focused on long term exposures rather than factors immediately preceding the onset of low back pain. The aim of this study is to quantify the transient increase in risk of a sudden episode of low back pain associated with acute exposure to a range of common physical and psychological factors.

Methods/design

This study uses a case-crossover design. One thousand adults with a sudden onset of low back pain presenting to primary care clinicians will be recruited. Basic demographic and clinical information including exposure to putative triggers will be collected using a questionnaire. These triggers include exposure to hazardous manual tasks, physical activity, a slip/trip or fall, consumption of alcohol, sexual acti

SUBMITTER: Steffens D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3292970 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature