Prevalence and Characteristics of Upper or Mid-Back Pain in Finnish Men

In Brief Study Design. Descriptive epidemiologic study. Objectives. To examine the 1-year prevalence, severity, and frequency of mid-back pain in a general population sample of men, with comparisons to neck and low back pain. Summary of Background Data. No previous studies reporting the characteristics of mid-back pain in a general population were found. Methods. A total of 600 Finnish men 35 to 70 years of age were drawn from a population-based twin sample and interviewed with standardized pain questions. Results. The 1-year prevalence of mid-back pain was 17.0% (95% confidence interval, 14.3–19.7) compared to 64.0% (95% confidence interval, 60.6–67.5) for neck and 66.8% (95% confidence interval, 63.4–70.3) for low back pain. The frequency of pain over the previous year among those with mid- and low back pain was less than for neck pain. The mean severity of the worst pain episode was highest for low back pain followed by mid-back and neck pain, which were similar. Associated disability tended to be less frequent from mid-back pain (23.5% vs. 30.3%–41.1%). Odds ratios for neck and low back pain when mid-back pain was reported were 2.32 and 2.86, respectively. Conclusion. The prevalence of mid-back pain was approximately one fourth that of neck and low back pain and was somewhat less likely to be disabling. In cases of mid-back pain, spinal comorbidity was nearly always reported. The 1-year prevalence of mid-back pain (17%) was approximately one fourth that of neck and low back pain in Finnish men. The worst episodes of pain were most severe for low back pain and similarly severe for neck and mid-back pain; and mid-back pain was somewhat less likely to be disabling.