What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the global prevalence, underlying mechanisms, risk factors, and socioeconomic burden of low back pain.

September 21, 2026The LancetOpen Access

What low back pain is and why we need to pay attention

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To evaluate the global prevalence, underlying mechanisms, risk factors, and socioeconomic burden of low back pain.
Synthesized global epidemiological data on disability trends between 1990 and 2015 across low-, middle-, and high-income countries.
Evaluated clinical determinants, neurophysiological mechanisms, and social factors linked to acute and persistent disabling back pain.
Years lived with disability caused by low back pain increased by 54% between 1990 and 2015, making it the leading cause of disability worldwide.
Identifiable nociceptive causes, such as vertebral fractures, malignancy, or infection, account for only a small proportion of low back pain cases.
Persistent disability is strongly associated with high initial pain intensity, psychological distress, widespread body pain, heavy physical labor, smoking, obesity, and lower socioeconomic status.

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Implication

Global epidemiological review reveals low back pain as the leading cause of disability worldwide, highlighting escalating socioeconomic and healthcare burdens in developing nations.

Cite This Study

Hartvigsen et al. (2018) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6ab0f5e4a27b87cbace462b3 https://doi.org/10.1016/s0140-6736(18)30480-x

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Implication

Global epidemiological review reveals low back pain as the leading cause of disability worldwide, highlighting escalating socioeconomic and healthcare burdens in developing nations.

What low back pain is and why we need to pay attention

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

What low back pain is and why we need to pay attention

Key Points

Discussion

Implication

Cite This Study

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