Effect of low back pain on activities of daily living in patients seen at the university teaching hospital, Lusaka,Zambia:a cross sectional study the Oswestry disability index

Abstract

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is an important cause of disability and work absenteeism. World health organization defines Disability as impairment of activity-limitations, participation restriction. The majority of low back pain stems from benign musculoskeletal problems and it is referred to as non-specific low back pain; this type may be due to muscle or other soft tissue sprain or strain. Over 99% of back pain fall within this category. Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) was used to evaluate the quality of life in individuals with low back pain. Objectives: To establish the effect of low back pain on daily living activities among the patients seen at University Teaching Hospital, Orthopedics clinic, Lusaka, Zambia using the Oswestry Disability Index. Methodology: This was the cross sectional study that was conducted at University Teaching Hospital, Orthopaedic clinic. A total of 167 patients were enrolled both female and male, and evaluated using ODI. Sex, height, weight, age and occupation were used as independent variables. ODI questionnaires were used as an instrument for collecting data. Results: 37%of the patients were males and 63% females. It was found that among the variables; sex, height, weight, age and occupation, occupation was significant in association with low back pain. It revealed that 75% of patients with severe low back pain were from informal sector of occupation while 18% were from formal sector. Additionally, it was also noted that those with high BMI regardless of gender had more disability due mechanical low back pain as compared to those with low BMI. Conclusion: The results showed that there is an association between occupation and ODI. 75% of the candidates with mechanical low back pain were in informal sector and 18.8% were in formal. Furthermore, males were more severely affected than females. Additionally, obesity revealed more disability as compared to those patients with normal weight.