Darlow Ben, Perry Meredith, Stanley James, Mathieson Fiona, Melloh Markus, Baxter G David, Dowell Anthony
Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand.
Centre for Health Activity and Rehabilitation Research, School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
BMJ Open. 2014 May 23;4(5):e004725. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2013-004725.
To explore the prevalence of attitudes and beliefs about back pain in New Zealand and compare certain beliefs based on back pain history or health professional exposure.
Population-based cross-sectional survey.
Postal survey.
New Zealand residents and citizens aged 18 years and above. 1000 participants were randomly selected from the New Zealand Electoral Roll. Participants listed on the Electoral Roll with an overseas postal address were excluded. 602 valid responses were received.
Attitudes and beliefs about back pain were measured with the Back Pain Attitudes Questionnaire (Back-PAQ). The interaction between attitudes and beliefs and (1) back pain experience and (2) health professional exposure was investigated.
The lifetime prevalence of back pain was reported as 87% (95% CI 84% to 90%), and the point prevalence as 27% (95% CI 24% to 31%). Negative views about the back and back pain were prevalent, in particular the need to protect the back to prevent injury. People with current back pain had more negative overall scores, particularly related to back pain prognosis. There was uncertainty about links between pain and injury and appropriate physical activity levels during an episode of back pain. Respondents had more positive views about activity if they had consulted a health professional about back pain. The beliefs of New Zealanders appeared to be broadly similar to those of other Western populations.
A large proportion of respondents believed that they needed to protect their back to prevent injury; we theorise that this belief may result in reduced confidence to use the back and contribute to fear avoidance. Uncertainty regarding what is a safe level of activity during an episode of back pain may limit participation. People experiencing back pain may benefit from more targeted information about the positive prognosis. The provision of clear guidance about levels of activity may enable confident participation in an active recovery.
探讨新西兰民众对背痛的态度和认知情况，并基于背痛病史或与医疗专业人员接触情况比较某些认知。
基于人群的横断面调查。
邮寄调查。
18岁及以上的新西兰居民和公民。从新西兰选民名册中随机选取1000名参与者。排除在选民名册上列出但有海外邮政地址的参与者。共收到602份有效回复。
使用背痛态度问卷（Back-PAQ）测量对背痛的态度和认知。调查态度和认知与（1）背痛经历和（2）与医疗专业人员接触之间的相互作用。
据报告，背痛的终生患病率为87%（95%置信区间84%至90%），时点患病率为27%（95%置信区间24%至31%）。对背部和背痛的负面看法普遍存在，尤其是认为需要保护背部以防止受伤。当前患有背痛的人总体得分更负面，特别是与背痛预后相关。在背痛发作期间，对于疼痛与损伤以及适当身体活动水平之间的联系存在不确定性。如果受访者就背痛咨询过医疗专业人员，他们对活动的看法会更积极。新西兰人的认知似乎与其他西方人群大致相似。
很大一部分受访者认为他们需要保护背部以防止受伤；我们推测这种认知可能导致使用背部时信心降低，并促成恐惧回避。在背痛发作期间，对于什么是安全活动水平的不确定性可能会限制参与度。经历背痛的人可能会从关于积极预后的更有针对性的信息中受益。提供关于活动水平的明确指导可能会使人们有信心积极参与康复。
