Clinical and economic burden of low back pain in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review

Objectives Low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability and work absenteeism globally, and it poses significant clinical and economic burden to individuals, health systems and the society. This study aimed to synthesise the clinical and economic burden of LBP in low-income and middle-incom...

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Main Authors: Francis Fatoye, Tadesse Gebrye, Ushotanefe Useh, Chidozie Emmanuel Mbada
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMJ Publishing Group 2023-04-01
Series:BMJ Open
Online Access:https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/13/4/e064119.full
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author Francis Fatoye
Tadesse Gebrye
Ushotanefe Useh
Chidozie Emmanuel Mbada
author_facet Francis Fatoye
Tadesse Gebrye
Ushotanefe Useh
Chidozie Emmanuel Mbada
author_sort Francis Fatoye
collection DOAJ
description Objectives Low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability and work absenteeism globally, and it poses significant clinical and economic burden to individuals, health systems and the society. This study aimed to synthesise the clinical and economic burden of LBP in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs).Methods A systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines was performed. PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, AMED, Embase and Scopus databases were systematically searched for studies that examined the clinical and economic burden of LBP in LMICs, published from inception to 10 December 2021. Only studies with clearly stated methodologies and published in English were eligible for review.Results Nine studies met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Of these, three of them were clinical burden studies. The mean Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS) score of the included studies was 4, with an average from 3 to 6. The included studies were conducted in Argentina, Brazil, China, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Republic of Serbia. The rates of hospitalisation due to LBP ranged between 13.4% and 18.7%. Due to variation of methodological approaches, the reported cost estimates were inconsistent across the studies. A total cost of US$2.2 billion per population and US$1226.25 per patient were reported annually due to LBP.Conclusion This systematic literature review suggests that LBP is associated with significantly high rates of hospitalisation and costs. As LBP is an important threat to the population, health professionals and policymakers are to put in place appropriate programmes to reduce the clinical and economic burden associated with LBP and improve the health outcomes of individuals with this condition in LMICs.PROSPERO registration number CRD42020196335.
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spelling doaj-art-9eba3d1ace99469a8e2523120eb8d9502025-08-20T02:12:28ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552023-04-0113410.1136/bmjopen-2022-064119Clinical and economic burden of low back pain in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic reviewFrancis Fatoye0Tadesse Gebrye1Ushotanefe Useh2Chidozie Emmanuel Mbada3Department of Health Professions, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UKDepartment of Health Professions, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UKLifestyle Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, North West University, Mmabatho, South AfricaDepartment of Medical Rehabilitation, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, NigeriaObjectives Low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability and work absenteeism globally, and it poses significant clinical and economic burden to individuals, health systems and the society. This study aimed to synthesise the clinical and economic burden of LBP in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs).Methods A systematic review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines was performed. PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, PsycINFO, AMED, Embase and Scopus databases were systematically searched for studies that examined the clinical and economic burden of LBP in LMICs, published from inception to 10 December 2021. Only studies with clearly stated methodologies and published in English were eligible for review.Results Nine studies met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Of these, three of them were clinical burden studies. The mean Newcastle–Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS) score of the included studies was 4, with an average from 3 to 6. The included studies were conducted in Argentina, Brazil, China, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Republic of Serbia. The rates of hospitalisation due to LBP ranged between 13.4% and 18.7%. Due to variation of methodological approaches, the reported cost estimates were inconsistent across the studies. A total cost of US$2.2 billion per population and US$1226.25 per patient were reported annually due to LBP.Conclusion This systematic literature review suggests that LBP is associated with significantly high rates of hospitalisation and costs. As LBP is an important threat to the population, health professionals and policymakers are to put in place appropriate programmes to reduce the clinical and economic burden associated with LBP and improve the health outcomes of individuals with this condition in LMICs.PROSPERO registration number CRD42020196335.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/13/4/e064119.full
spellingShingle Francis Fatoye
Tadesse Gebrye
Ushotanefe Useh
Chidozie Emmanuel Mbada
Clinical and economic burden of low back pain in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review
BMJ Open
title Clinical and economic burden of low back pain in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review
title_full Clinical and economic burden of low back pain in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review
title_fullStr Clinical and economic burden of low back pain in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review
title_full_unstemmed Clinical and economic burden of low back pain in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review
title_short Clinical and economic burden of low back pain in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review
title_sort clinical and economic burden of low back pain in low and middle income countries a systematic review
url https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/13/4/e064119.full
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