J Korean Soc Spine Surg.
1998 Nov;5(2):301-306.
Epidemiology of Low Back Pain
Abstract
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STUDY DESIGN: The same contents of questionnaire about the low back pain(LBP) were conducted among the Korean and the Japanese hospital workers.
OBJECTIVES
To compare the prevalence of LBP and the correlates of occupation and care-seeking. SUMMARY OF LITERATUR REVIEW: Previous epidemiological researches about LBP were usually performed within a country, Korean researches were for the Korean population and Japanese for the Japanese. MATERIAL & METHODS: The history, the cause, the frequency, the severity, and the method of treatment of LBP were compared between the Korean (N=336) and the Japanese (N=428) hospital workers
RESULTS
The prevalence of past LBP history were higher in Korean (80%) than in Japanese case(68%), but the percentage of care-seeking (Japan: 64% & Korea: 49%) and lost workdays (9% & 7%) were inverted. The prevalence was the highest in nurse occupation (73% & 89%), and most of these cases reported the cause of LBP as work-related (72% & 71%), which was much higher than the other occupations (34% & 39%). Among the care-seeking (Japan: N=186, Korea: N=131), the percentage of hospital visit was higher in Japanese (43%) than in Korean case (24%). The other methods of care included pharmacy, massage, finger-pressure therapy, acupuncture and moxa, and these were similarly prefered by two countries.
CONCLUSION
Epidemiology of LBP was compared between Japanese and Korean hospital worktors. Further study will be needed to compare the actual epidemiology of an LBP.(232 words)
