Prevalence and Impact of Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain -Systematic Review

Introduction: Low back pain encompasses a variety of pain categories (e.g., nociceptive, neuropathic, neoplastic, or non-specific) that commonly overlap. Recent research suggests a link between gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and musculoskeletal pain, specifically CLBP. However, the prevalence and nature of GI symptoms in CLBP patients are little characterized. Objectives: This study examines the prevalence, severity, and impact of gastrointestinal symptoms among patients with chronic low back pain. Methods: A complete search was undertaken across numerous databases, including PubMed, PEDro, and The Cochrane Database, until August 2024. The search yielded 4,065 results, with four research selected for qualitative and quantitative synthesis. Results The searches retrieved 47 records, of which were selected for full-text screening. four reviews were included. The findings say that gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in the chronic stage of low back pain. It occurs due to a convergence of viscerosomatic pathways and dysfunction in trunk muscles, which leads to reduced gastrointestinal motility. Conclusions There is strong evidence indicating a connection between gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and chronic lower back pain (CLBP. The results of this suggested study could aid physiotherapists in managing low back pain patients with GI discomfort. GI symptoms as part of CLBP therapy may improve patients' physical functioning and quality of life.