Association Between Body Mass Index and Low Back Pain: A Retrospective Observational Study

Background: Low back pain (LBP) affects around 80% of adults globally and is a leading cause of healthcare visits. Simultaneously, obesity is a growing concern, with 13% of adults obese and 39% overweight. Rising obesity rates, combined with increased longevity from improved healthcare, have heightened musculoskeletal pain risks, especially LBP. This study explored the LBP-BMI relationship using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Methods: A double-centred, Retrospective observational study of 2508 All patients aged 36 years and above, presenting with lumbago to spine clinics at two tertiary care hospitals between January 2023 to March 2024 were included in the study via a convenience sampling technique. The major components for the evaluation of patients in our study were BMI, VAS for pain, Oswestry disability using VAS, and ODI. Mean and a chi-square test were applied with frequencies, and a p-value <0.05 was considered significant using SPSS v 24.Results: 1468 patients were overweight, with 43.8% (1098) experiencing severe disability according to ODI (p<0.017). Additionally, 34.3% of patients reported severe back pain, predominantly those with a BMI of 25-29.9 (p<0.048). Notably, 58.5% of patients with back pain had a BMI of 25-29.9, Punjabi ethnicity was most affected, with 60.26% having a BMI >25.Conclusion: The study highlights a significant association between LBP and BMI, emphasizing the need for a holistic, interdisciplinary approach to manage this multifaceted condition effectively. These findings underscore the importance of addressing obesity as a key factor in LBP management and improving patient outcomes.