Magnetic Resonance Imaging Lumbo Sacral Spine in Assessment of Low Back Pain in Young Adults

Introduction: Low back pain (LBP) is a common health problem in population worldwide leading to concomitant disability which has assumed a public health importance in our setting. While it is relatively common in elderly, the incidence of LBP in young adults was alarmingly increasing. Purpose: To find etiology of LBP in symptomatic young adults (10-35 years). Identification of associated modifiable risk factors of LBP in young adults and accordingly enable successful implementation of prevention strategies. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study of 100 respondents. A questionnaire was used to obtain information on clinical symptoms, socio-demography, lifestyle, occupation, and other risk factors associated with LBP amongst clinically symptomatic young cases below 35 years attending magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) department in Government Medical College, Aurangabad. Results: Of 100 cases, 54 were females and 46 males, 30 (65.21%) males and 35 (64.81%) females had abnormal MRI findings. Most common etiology of LBP found was degenerative disc disease (76.92%) followed by trauma (7.69%), tumors (4.61%) and infective (4.61%), inflammatory (3.07%) and least common etiologies being metabolic (1.53%) and developmental - Scheuermann s disease (1.53%). Among 50 cases showing positive disc degeneration findings, 27 (54%) were involved in heavy physical activity, 21 (42%) in prolonged hours of sitting (>8 h), and rest 2 were involved in prolonged standing. Hence, we found that LBP incidence was associated with increased hours of heavy physical activity and prolonged hours of sitting. Conclusion: The prevalence of LBP among young adult cases in our setting is high, with preventable and treatable predisposing factors. Cases should improve their physical fitness, practice frequent breaks, and stretching during sitting. Public health efforts should be directed at educating people on occupational and lifestyle habits.