Frequency of low back pain among men and women aged 30 to 64 years in France. Results of two national surveys.

International audienceINTRODUCTION: In France, most studies of low back pain (LBP) have been carried out among workers or patients. Until very recently, the frequency of LBP in the general population was not known, because National Health Surveys did not include questions on LBP. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of LBP in the French population aged 30 to 64 years. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The main data were from the National Health Survey 2002-2003 (n=14,248). LBP was assessed by an accompanying self-administered questionnaire asking details about duration of LBP in the previous 12 months. Weights were used to estimate the prevalence of LBP in the French population, with two definitions of LBP. Additional results dealing with chronic LBP, from another national survey (Handicap, Disability and Dependence), are also briefly presented. RESULTS: More than half of the French population in this age group experienced LBP at least one day in the previous 12 months (LBP1), with 17% experiencing LBP for more than 30 days in the previous 12 months (LBP30); prevalence differed between men and women and that of LBP30 increased with age. DISCUSSION-CONCLUSION: The prevalence of LBP as assessed by the National Health Survey is similar to that found in countries other than France. These estimates can be used as a reference for surveys in specific populations, provided that comparable methodologies are used

Low back pain around retirement age and physical occupational exposure during working life

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Physical occupational exposure is a risk factor for low back pain in workers but the long term effects of exposure remain unclear. As several countries consider increasing the retirement age, further information on this topic is relevant. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of low back pain among middle aged and aging individuals in the general French population according to physical occupational exposure and retirement status.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The study population originated from the French national survey 'Enquête décennale santé 2002'. Low back pain for more than 30 days within the previous twelve months (LBP) was assessed using a French version of the Nordic questionnaire. Occupational exposure was self assessed. Subjects were classified as "exposed" if they were currently or had previously been exposed to handling of heavy loads and/or to tiring postures. The weighted prevalence of LBP was computed separately for men and women, for active (aged 45-59) and retiree (aged 55-74), according to 5-year age group and past/present occupational exposure.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>For active men, the prevalence of LBP was significantly higher in those currently or previously exposed (n = 1051) compared with those never exposed (n = 1183), respectively over 20% versus less than 11%. Among retired men, the prevalence of LBP tended towards equivalence with increasing age among those previously exposed (n = 748) and those unexposed (n = 599).</p> <p>Patterns were quite similar for women with a higher prevalence in exposed active women (n = 741) compared to unexposed (n = 1260): around 25% versus 15%. Similarly, differences between previously exposed (n = 430) and unexposed (n = 489) retired women tended to reduce with age.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The prevalence of LBP in active workers was associated with occupational exposure. The link with past exposure among retirees decreased with age. These results should be considered for policies dealing with prevention at the workplace and retirement.</p

Analyse comparée du coût des techniques cytogénétiques et de biologie moléculaire dans le diagnostic de la maladie de l'X fragile

International audienceMental retardation is sometimes due to chromosomal abnormalities. Most frequent illnesses are Down syndrome and Fragile X syndrome. Using a cost analysis, we try to see what diagnosis method is the most relevant to find chromosomic causes for mental retardation in an institutionalized male population. Two techniques are compared: cytogenetic technique and molecular biology technique. Four diagnostic strategies are identified. They all have the same effectiveness, but, costs vary. Results depend on prevalence rates in the epidemiologic literature on Fragile X syndrome and other chromosomic abnormalities. The least-cost diagnostic strategy is molecular biology then constitutional karyotype in case of a negative result. This strategy costs about 600 FF1991 less compared with Fragile X karyotype and about 120 FF1991 less than when molecular biology is done in second, for fixed prevalence rates (i.e. Fragile X prevalence rate between 4.5 and 10% and other abnormalities between 2.2 and 25%). Fragile X karyotype strategy has the highest cost whatever the prevalence rates. Those results are discussed when introducing female population and delay to test results for prenatal diagnosis

Analyse comparée du coût des techniques cytogénétiques et de biologie moléculaire dans le diagnostic de la maladie de l'X fragile

International audienceMental retardation is sometimes due to chromosomal abnormalities. Most frequent illnesses are Down syndrome and Fragile X syndrome. Using a cost analysis, we try to see what diagnosis method is the most relevant to find chromosomic causes for mental retardation in an institutionalized male population. Two techniques are compared: cytogenetic technique and molecular biology technique. Four diagnostic strategies are identified. They all have the same effectiveness, but, costs vary. Results depend on prevalence rates in the epidemiologic literature on Fragile X syndrome and other chromosomic abnormalities. The least-cost diagnostic strategy is molecular biology then constitutional karyotype in case of a negative result. This strategy costs about 600 FF1991 less compared with Fragile X karyotype and about 120 FF1991 less than when molecular biology is done in second, for fixed prevalence rates (i.e. Fragile X prevalence rate between 4.5 and 10% and other abnormalities between 2.2 and 25%). Fragile X karyotype strategy has the highest cost whatever the prevalence rates. Those results are discussed when introducing female population and delay to test results for prenatal diagnosis

Seeking care for lower back pain in the French population aged from 30 to 69: the results of the 2002-2003 Décennale Santé survey.

International audienceOBJECTIVES: To describe the frequency with which members of the French general population in the 30-to-69 age class sought care for lower back pain (LBP) from various healthcare professionals and to identify associated parameters. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data were collected in the 2002-2003 Décennale Santé survey, which is representative of ordinary households in continental France. We assessed the frequency with which the 17,792 surveyed individuals sought care for LBP by considering consultations with healthcare professionals in general and consultations with general practitioners and physiotherapists in particular. RESULTS: Among the survey subjects, 4.5% reported that they had sought treatment for LBP from a healthcare professional at least once during the 2-month survey period. The decision to seek care was correlated with the characteristics of the LBP. The duration of the pain was associated with the frequency of all types of consultation studied here. Sociodemographic, economic and occupational risk factors were also involved. Consultation with a physiotherapist was related to income. CONCLUSION: These results from a representative sample of the French general population show that the factors associated with seeking treatment for LBP differ according to the type of healthcare professional consulted

[Personal and occupational factors associated with low-back pain in a general working population in France].: low-back pain in working population in France

International audienceThis study showed strong associations between occupational exposures and persistent/recurrent low-back pain in a general working population in France. Targeting these exposures in prevention programs could be useful

Level of education and back pain in France: the role of demographic, lifestyle and physical work factors.

International audiencePURPOSE: To investigate the pathways from level of education to low back pain (LBP) in the adult population, especially concerning the role of physical working constraints, and personal factors (overweight, tobacco consumption, and tallness). METHODS: The study population consisted of 15,534 subjects from the National Health Survey, with data on LBP, level of education, personal factors, and physical working constraints. Logistic models for LBP (pain more than 30 days during the previous 12 months) were compared in order to check the consistency of the data with specific causal pathways. RESULTS: Low back pain was strongly associated with level of education. This association was almost completely explained if present or past exposure to tiring work postures and handling of heavy loads were taken into account. For men, the OR for "no diploma", adjusted only for age, was 1.75; it was 1.02 after additional adjustment on physical work factors. Personal factors played also a role, especially overweight for women. Among them, the OR associated with a body mass index = 27 or more was 1.58 after adjustment on all the other factors. CONCLUSIONS: In this national population the main pathways from education to LBP were through occupational exposure and lifestyle factors

Le chômage: un problème de santé publique majeur

International audienc

Le chômage: un problème de santé publique majeur

International audienc