Has the prevalence of neck pain and low back pain changed over the last 5 years? A population-based national study in Spain

Background contextNo study has determined time trends of neck pain and low back pain (NP&LBP) in the 20th century in Spain.PurposeTo estimate current 1-year prevalence of NP&LBP using data from the 2009 European Health Survey and to analyze the time trends in the prevalence of NP&LBP from 2005 to 2010.Study designPopulation-based national study.Patient sampleA total of 51,666 subjects were finally included.Outcome measuresThe 2006 Spanish National Health Survey (SNHS) and the 2009 European Health Interview Survey for Spain (EHISS).MethodsWe analyzed data from the 2006 SNHS (n=29,478) and the 2009 EHISS (n=22,188). We considered the presence of NP, LBP, and both NP&LBP. We analyzed sociodemographic features, self-perceived health status, lifestyle habits, and comorbid diseases using logistic regression models.ResultsIn 2009, the 1-year prevalence was 5.2% (95% confidence interval 4.8–5.5) for NP, 7.9% (7.4–8.3) for LBP, and 10.6% (10.2–11.1) for NP&LBP. Women increased the probability of NP and NP&LBP but decreased the probability of LBP. The prevalence of all pain localizations increased with age. Not practicing exercise or being obese was associated with lower NP and higher NP&LBP. One-year prevalence of NP decreased from 2006 (7.57%) to 2009 (5.18%) (prevalence ratio [PR] 0.66, 0.60–0.72; men: 0.68, 0.61–0.75; women: 0.66, 0.60–0.72). The prevalence of LBP did not change (PR 0.93, 0.86–101) from 2006 (8.34%) to 2009 (7.86%). The prevalence of NP&LBP decreased from 12.53% in 2006 to 10.61% in 2009 (PR 0.81, 0.75–0.86; men: 7.73% to 6.36%, PR 0.80, 0.70–0.90; women: 17.15% to 14.69%, PR 0.81, 0.74–0.87).ConclusionsThe prevalence of NP and NP&LBP, but not LBP, has decreased in the last years in Spain. NP&LBP were associated with similar sociodemographic and lifestyle habits in 2009 compared with 2006.