Family history of low back pain is associated with low back pain, lower quality of life, and lumbar MRI findings

Abstract Associations of family history of low back pain (LBP) with clinical outcomes and lumbar degenerative magnetic resonance imaging findings remain uncertain. This cross-sectional secondary analysis used data from 811 Berlin Back Study participants. Associations with self-reported family history of LBP were examined using logistic and linear regression adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, smoking, and alcohol consumption. LBP prevalence was 57.9% without and 72.6% with family history (adjusted OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.42, 2.57, p < 0.001). Family history was associated with lower Short Form-36 global scores (unweighted mean of eight domains; B − 3.52, 95% CI − 5.79, − 1.25, p = 0.002), higher cumulative intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) scores (scale range 5–25; B 0.53, 95% CI 0.13, 0.93, p = 0.009), and higher cumulative facet joint degeneration (FJD) scores (scale range 5–20; B 0.41, 95% CI 0.15, 0.68, p = 0.003). Of the 63 secondary comparisons, 19 remained below the 5% false discovery rate threshold, including the three associations above. Among participants with LBP, no clear associations were observed with mean pain intensity or Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire scores. Reported family history was associated with higher LBP odds, lower quality of life, and modestly greater IDD and FJD.