@article{3091580,
    title = "Low back pain in a representative sample of Greek population - Analysis
according to personal and socioeconomic characteristics",
    author = "Stranjalis, G and Tsamandouraki, K and Sakas, DE and Alamanos, Y",
    journal = "Spine Deformity",
    year = "2004",
    volume = "29",
    number = "12",
    pages = "1355-1360",
    publisher = "Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins",
    issn = "2212-134X",
    doi = "10.1097/01.BRS.0000127181.59012.1C",
    keywords = "low back pain; cross-sectional study; Greek population; prevalence",
    abstract = "Study Design. A cross-sectional study of low back pain and its related
aspects in a representative sample of Greek population.
Objectives. To estimate the prevalence of low back pain in the Greek
population and to study the association of low back pain frequency and
severity with socioeconomic and demographic characteristics.
Summary of Background Data. Several prevalence studies carried out in
different populations suggest a high frequency of this condition in the
general population. Socioeconomic and demographic factors are likely to
influence frequency and severity of low back pain. In Greece, there have
been no previous studies investigating low back pain frequency and
severity and its related aspects in the general population. Studies
carried out in selected Greek populations suggest a 3-month prevalence
of about 50%.
Methods. A 2000-person sample of the Greek population older than 15
years was selected by multiple-stage sampling, with definition of sample
quotas based on demographic characteristics. Information about low back
pain and its related aspects, as well as about socioeconomic and
demographic characteristics, was collected by personal interviews. The
study was carried out between March 10 and April 12, 2000.
Results. A total of 635 persons (31.7%) reported low back pain the last
month. Among them 126 (19.9%) stayed in bed for some time, with a mean
duration of staying in bed of 5.5 days. Work absenteeism represented a
19.1% of people younger than 65 years ( 54 persons) with a mean
duration of 4.52 days. Low back pain frequency and severity were related
to several socio-demographic factors at a statistically significant
level. Sex, age, and kind of job presented a significant association
with risk of low back pain independently from other socioeconomic
factors.
Conclusions. According to the results of the study, low back pain is a
frequent symptom in the general Greek population. Low back pain
frequency and severity are associated with several socio-demographic
factors, especially with age, sex, and kind of job."
}