Table 1

Subject Demographics and LBP Characteristics


No LBP (n = 36)
Minor LBP (n = 81)
Significant LBP (n = 53)

Age (mean + SD, years)
21.7 ± 3.5
22.0 ± 4.2
23.9 ± 5.1
BMI (mean + SD, kg/m2)
21.9 ± 2.8
23.3 ± 4.3
23.1 ± 3.4
Lifetime highest VAS (mean + SD,/10)
0
3.9 ± 2.3
6.6 ± 1.6
Annual LBP Duration (range, days)
0
1–7
8–30
Requiring treatment, medication or activity reduction past 12-months (%)
0
44.4
96.2
Oswestry Disability Index (mean + SD)
0
10.4 ± 6.6
21.2 ± 9.2

BMI = body mass index. VAS = visual analogue scale.

Mitchell et al. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2008 9:152   doi:10.1186/1471-2474-9-152