Low Back Pain Severity and Related Disability in Different Trimesters of Pregnancy and Associated Risk Factors

• AMAL MOHAMMED ETURKI

  University, Medical Technology, Physiotherapy Department, Tripoli, Libya

  Author

Background: The physiological changes associated with pregnancy, such as hormonal shifts, postural adjustments, and changes in load distribution, can lead to an increased vulnerability to Lower back pain (LBP). While LBP is generally considered a transient discomfort, recent research highlights that it can escalate into a disabling condition for pregnant women, affecting their ability to engage in daily activities. Objective: The aim was to comprehensively explore the relationship between LBP and disability in pregnant women, investigating its impact on daily activities, employment, and social life. Methods: a cross-sectional survey approach to collect data from participants in private clinics in Tripoli, Libya. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was employed to collect data concerning the patients. Results: Initial results indicate that a considerable percentage of expectant mothers (61.6%) reported experiencing intense  LBP, with those between the ages of 25 to 29 years registering the highest pain levels. The outcomes demonstrate that a significant majority of the respondents (66.7%) managed their back pain effectively without relying on pain-relieving medication. Moreover, most pregnant women expressed that their pain harmed their daily routines. Conclusions: The findings revealed that a significant portion of pregnant women reported that their pain had unfavourable consequences on their everyday tasks, such as lifting objects, sitting, and travelling. In essence, this research enhances comprehension of the complex connection between LBP and disability in pregnancy, thereby providing a foundation for specific interventions and enhanced healthcare approaches tailored to pregnant women.

Backhausen, M. G., Bendix, J., Damm, P., Tabor, A., & Hegaard, H. K. (2019). Low back pain intensity among childbearing women and associated predictors. A cohort study. Women and Birth, 32(4), e467–e476. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2018.09.008

Bartleson J. D. (2001). Low Back Pain. Current treatment options in neurology, 3(2), 159–168. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11940-001-0051-4

Bryndal, A., Majchrzycki, M., Grochulska, A., Glowinski, S., & Seremak-Mrozikiewicz, A. (2020). Risk Factors Associated with Low Back Pain among A Group of 1510 Pregnant Women. Journal of personalized medicine, 10(2), 51. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm10020051

Davidson,M., & Keating JL.(2002) Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (ODQ). Physiother 51(4)270. Doi 10.1016/s000 4-95,4(05)70016-7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0004-9514(05)70016-7

Fiat, F., Merghes, P. E., Scurtu, A. D., Almajan Guta, B., Dehelean, C. A., Varan, N., & Bernad, E. (2022). The Main Changes in Pregnancy-Therapeutic Approach to Musculoskeletal Pain. Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania), 58(8), 1115. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina58081115

Gallo-Padilla, D., Gallo-Padilla, C., Gallo-Vallejo, F. J., & Gallo-Vallejo, J. L. (2016). Lumbalgia durante el embarazo. Abordaje multidisciplinar [Low back pain during pregnancy. Multidisciplinary approach]. Semergen, 42(6), e59–e64. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.semerg.2015.06.005

Ireland, M. L., & Ott, S. M. (2000). The effects of pregnancy on the musculoskeletal system. Clinical orthopaedics and related research, (372), 169–179. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/00003086-200003000-00019

Katonis, P., Kampouroglou, A., Aggelopoulos, A., Kakavelakis, K., Lykoudis, S., Makrigiannakis, A., & Alpantaki, K. (2011). Pregnancy-related low back pain. Hippokratia, 15(3), 205–210.

Kesikburun, S., Güzelküçük, Ü., Fidan, U., Demir, Y., Ergün, A., & Tan, A. K. (2018). Musculoskeletal pain and symptoms in pregnancy: a descriptive study. Therapeutic advances in musculoskeletal disease, 10(12), 229–234.

Kesikburun, S., Güzelküçük, Ü., Fidan, U., Demir, Y., Ergün, A., & Tan, A. K. (2018). Musculoskeletal pain and symptoms in pregnancy: a descriptive study. Therapeutic advances in musculoskeletal disease, 10(12), 229–234. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1759720X18812449

Korovessis, Panagiotis & Antonaki, Rania & Zacharatos, Spyros & Syrimpeis, Vasileios. (2019). Low back pain induces disability of women in primary uncomplicated pregnancy. Clinical Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2. 101-106. DOI: https://doi.org/10.29328/journal.cjog.1001029

Kashif, M., Kokab, M., Tahreem, A., Quraishi, A., Madni, J. A., & Ashraf, S. (2020). Prevalence of low back pain in pregnant women and its impact on activities of daily living. Rawal Medical Journal, 45(2), 439-439.‏

Morino, S., Ishihara, M., Umezaki, F., Hatanaka, H., Iijima, H., Yamashita, M., Aoyama, T., & Takahashi, M. (2017). Low back pain and causative movements in pregnancy: a prospective cohort study. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 18(1). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-017-1776-x

Rabiei, M., & Sarchamie, N. (2018). Low back pain severity and related disability in different trimesters of pregnancy and risk factors. International Journal of Women’s Health and Reproduction Sciences, 6(4), 438–443. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15296/ijwhr.2018.73

ROBERT, Z. (2021). Prevalence and factors associated with low back pain amongst women attending antenatal clinic in Kamuli District Hospital (Doctoral dissertation, Makerere University).‏

Sabino, J., & Grauer, J. N. (2008). Pregnancy and low back pain. Current reviews in musculoskeletal medicine, 1(2), 137–141. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12178-008-9021-8

Vrbanić T. S. (2011). Krizobolja--od definicije do dijagnoze [Low back pain--from definition to diagnosis]. Reumatizam, 58(2), 105–107.

Wáng, Y. X., Wáng, J. Q., & Káplár, Z. (2016). Increased low back pain prevalence in females than in males after menopause age: evidences based on synthetic literature review. Quantitative imaging in medicine and surgery, 6(2), 199–206. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21037/qims.2016.04.06

الحقوق الفكرية (c) 2025 AMAL MOHAMMED ETURKI (Author)

هذا العمل مرخص بموجب Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.