Characteristics of low back pain and its countermeasures among elderly population living in sub-urban area of Japan -Based on the results obtained from the longitudinal analysis of the Shiraniwa Study-

Abstract

The Shiraniwa Study, a longitudinal observational study, has evaluated the physical symptoms, physical function, and radiological findings in 409 elderly people (aged 65 years or older) living in a suburban area since August 2016.

Cross-sectional analysis of the study data identified spinal sagittal imbalance, obesity, prevalent vertebral fractures, and anxiety as independent factors associated with low back pain. Interventions against these factors appeared to be effective in preventing low back pain. Longitudinal analysis revealed stage 2 locomotive syndrome (LS) as an independent predictor of deteriorating spinal sagittal imbalance. In addition, elderly in whom the locomotion level improved over time also showed weight loss, which suggests that weight loss may contribute to preventing the progression of spinal imbalance. Weight loss affects two factors associated with low back pain in the elderly (obesity and spinal imbalance) and might therefore be an effective countermeasure against low back pain in this population.