The Impact of Low Back Pain on Functional Status of Postpartum Women: Survey in Bangladesh

Objective: The study assesses how low back pain affects postpartum women's function in standard and cesarian cases. Methodology: This cross-sectional study selected 93 women with low back pain after delivery within six months. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic, obstetric, low back pain status, and functional data in face-to-face interviews. The Visual Analogue Scale and Oswestry Disability Index assessed pain and function. Results: For the study, patients' average age was 25.6 (± 4.5) years, most patients (65.6%) were primiparous, and 66.7% had Cesarean sections. 49.5% suffered delivery-related pain, and 59.1% had constant low back pain. Low back pain hindered daily activities in 66 individuals (71.0%). In addition, 19 patients (20.4%) suffered sleep interruption due to low back pain. 86.0% of 80 patients had pain reduction with rest. Medications were given to 62 individuals (66.7%). Massage was used by 38 patients (40.9%). Sitting worsened pain in 79 individuals (84.9%). Daily activities also raised pain in 58 individuals (68.4%). However, standing for long durations increased discomfort in 29 individuals (31.2%). Patients reported an average VAS score of 5.1 (± 1.8), with 63 (67.8%) experiencing moderate pain and 15 (16.1%) reporting severe pain. Patients had an average ODI score of 26.1 (± 9.9), with 58 (62.4%) suffering moderate impairment and 6 (6.5%) reporting severe disability. Pain was significantly higher in older women (P=0.005), higher-income women (P=0.016), first-time mothers (P=0.008), and Cesarean-section mothers (P<0.001). There was a greater prevalence of impairment among primiparous women (P=0.007) and Cesarean section mothers (P<0.001). Conclusion: Among the postpartum women, the pain was significantly higher in patients in higher age groups, wealthier, multiparous, and who had caesarian sections. Multiparous mothers and women with cesarean sections had more functional disability.