Musculoskeletal spine pain in adolescents: Epidemiology of non-specific neck and low back pain and risk factors

Background: Neck pain (NP) and low back pain (LBP) have become a growing public health problem in adolescents that involve multiple factors, including modifiable factors, such as behavioral factors that include sedentary activities and adoption of inadequate postures. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of NP and LBP in adolescents and to investigate its association with sedentary activities and postures.

Methods: The sample was comprised of 304 students, being 144 (47.4%) boys, aged between 10 and 17 years old (13.68 ± 2.02). The measurement instruments included a questionnaire, postural evaluation of some task and the transportation and weighing of the backpack.

Results: The prevalence of NP and LBP were, respectively: in the lifetime: 51% and 65.1%; at the moment: 5.9% and 8.6%; and in a 12-month period: 39.8% and 47%. The older students (15-17 years old) had 3.03 times higher probability of developing LBP (95% CI (1.82-5.03; p ≤ 0.001) than the younger one (10-14 years), adolescents who used a mobile phone more than 10 h per week had 2.48 times higher probability of developing NP (95% CI: 1.29-4.75; p = 0.006) than those who had used for a shorter period (until 10 h) and 2.39 more probability to developed the LBP (95% CI: 1.41-4.08; p = 0.001). The students who sit with a spine in a wrong position had 3.24 more chances to have LBP (95% CI: 1.33-7.89; p = 0.010).

Conclusions: Data of this study showed a higher prevalence of NP and LBP in this sample and revealed that adolescents who used a mobile phone more than 10 h per week had more probability to develop both NP and LBP and older students and who sit with a spine in a wrong position had more chances to have LBP.