Shaheen Kausar, Arif Tajammul, Shahida Sheikh.
Backache in pregnancy.
Biomedica Jan ;22(1):12-5.

This study was performed to determine the frequency of backache, its causes and to assess the efficacy of various treatment modalities used for the management of backache in pregnancy. The location of the study was outpatient department of obstetric services, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore. Patients attended to the antenatal OPD during February 2004 were asked about history of backache. A further information was obtained from patients who had history of backache. A total 918 ladies with complete data were recruited. Four hundred and thirty-two (47.05%) reported one or more significant episodes of back pain during their pregnancy. Of these 96 (22.22%) noted ongoing back pain at the time they became pregnant leaving, 1 true incidence rate of 36.60%. Twenty-one patients (4.86%) were less than 20 years, 407 (94.21%) were in between 20-40 years of age and 4 (0.92%) were above 40 years. Eighteen patients (4.16%) were less than 50kg, 345 (79.86%) had weight in between 50-70 kg and 69 (15.97%) were more than 70kg. Seven ty-eight patients (18.05%) were primigravida, 292 (67.59%) were multigravida and 62 (14.35%) were grand multigravida. Three hundred and twenty-nine patients (76.15%) were delivered vaginally, 5 (1.15%) had instrumental deliveries and 98 (22.68%) had lower segment caesarean section. In the later group, spinal anesthesia was given in 60 (61.22%), general anesthesia in 34 (34.69%) and epidural anesthesia in 4 patients (4.08%). Ninety-six patients (22.22%) had backache before pregnancy and 336 (77.77%) had it during pregnancy. No treatment was taken in 23 patients (5.32%), rest in 297 (68.75%), analgesics in 106 (24.52%) and massage in 6 (1.38%) patients. Subjective relief was up to 50.0% with rest, 75.0% with analgesics and up to 50.0% with massage. Backache was found to be common in pregnancy. About one quarter of all pregnant women experience backache. The most common cause of backache in pregnancy is odd posture, heavy work and weight lifting. About half of the patients took treatment mainly in the form o f rest and analgesia. Chiroptic practice is also common in pregnancy and it gives some relief as well. Although, backache is so common in pregnancy still none of the patients had any concept about posture and exercise. It is advised that patients should be given special advice regarding posture and exercises.

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