Clinical and Demographic Characteristics of Workers with Unspecified Low Back Pain

Abstract

Objective: To describe the clinical and demographic characteristics of workers with unspecified low back pain treated at a primary care facility.
Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study involving workers diagnosed with unspecified low back pain (ICD-10 M54.50) at a primary care facility. The sample included 269 patients selected through consecutive random sampling. The patient profile was analyzed across nine dimensions: demographic, physical, nutritional, health-related behaviors, occupational, etiological, duration of symptoms, clinical manifestations, and management. Statistical analysis included percent- ages, means, and 95% confidence intervals for both.
Results: The majority of patients were female (53.7%; 95% CI: 47.8–59.6), with a mean age of 41 years (95% CI: 40–43). Obesity was present in 37.8% of patients (95% CI: 32.0–43.6). Most patients en- gaged in moderate physical labor (58.5%; 95% CI: 52.6–64.4). In 22.6% of cases (95% CI: 17.6–27.6), the onset of low back pain followed physical exertion. Limited lumbar mobility was observed in 31.9% (95% CI: 26.3–37.5), and 42.6% (95% CI: 36.7–48.5) were unable to work due to the condition.
Conclusions: Workers with unspecified low back pain treated in primary care were pre- dominantly women in their forties, with high rates of obesity, low physical activity, and moderate occupational physical demands. In most cases, the underlying cause was not identified, the duration of symptoms was typically under three weeks, and clinical manifestations included motor symptoms, muscle contracture, and work-related disability.