Back pain as a factor of disability in women over 50 from Biała Podlaska and the surrounding areas

Background
Chronic back pain is one of the most common causes of disability. It is a civilisation disease and up to 75% of women over the age of 55 suffer from it. The aim of this study was to assess the degree of disability and limitations in the daily functioning of women with lumbar spine pain depending on socio-demographic factors.

Material and methods
The study included a group of 274 professionally active women aged between 50 and 64 who come from Biała Podlaska and the surrounding areas and who completed the Oswestry Disability Index. The responses showed functional limitations of the respondents during performing specific activities due to back pain. The respondents were characterised with regard to their age, place of residence, education and material status. The results were analysed statistically.

Results
The most numerous group included women with moderate disability – 41.6%. Lower back pain intensifies when sitting, standing, walking, lifting objects and applies mainly to women from the oldest age group, women having secondary and lower education, women from the city and those whose financial situation is below the average.

Conclusions
A socio-demographic factor that differentiates the degree of the women’s disability in a significant way is their material status – the better the financial situation, the less severe the disability. Socio-demographic factors – such as age, education and material status – are strong determinants of functional limitations caused by back pain: women from the oldest age group (60-64 years old) had the biggest problem with walking; women with secondary or lower education experienced difficulty sitting and walking; women whose financial situation is below the average suffered much more difficulties while lifting objects, sitting and socialising.