Back pain prevalence in the metropolitan area of São Paulo: a cross sectional, population-based study

• Grant number: 15/26220-2
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: August 01, 2016
• End date: July 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Leonardo Oliveira Pena Costa
• Grantee: Leonardo Oliveira Pena Costa
• Host Institution: Pró-Reitoria de Pós-Graduação, Pesquisa e Extensão. Universidade Cidade de São Paulo (UNICID). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Amélia Pasqual Marques ; Carlos Marcelo Pastre

Abstract

Low back pain is an important health problem with large consequences of socio-economic point of view and is associated with high costs for the health system, work absenteeism and disability. In Brazil there is no accurate data of the prevalence of low back pain. Most studies of prevalence of low back pain conducted in Brazil refers to specific or non-representative population studies. Therefore it is necessary to conduct a study in order to measure for the first time, the prevalence of low back pain (acute, subacute and chronic) an extract of the Brazilian population. Objective: To measure the prevalence of low back pain in the metropolitan area of São Paulo using a large sample contingent approaching socio-demographic characteristics of the population following all the existing guidelines on conducting specific prevalence studies for low back pain. Methods: will be selected 3.000 individuals, of both genders, over 18 years living in the urban area of the metropolitan region of São Paulo-Brazil. Will be included in the study all individuals who accepted the invitation to participate by responding to questionnaires and who have completed at least until the 5th grade of elementary school. The data collections will be in 10 of 97 census tracts in São Paulo, streaming of local people, through the individual application of the evaluation questionnaires of low back pain in a simple and objective way, so that the characteristics population are representative of the Brazilian population. Expected Results: To identify the prevalence of low back pain (acute, subacute and chronic) in the metropolitan area of São Paulo. (AU)