Association of visceral organ involvement in back pain: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: To determine the association of visceral organs involvement in non-specific low back pain.Methods: A cross sectional analytical study was conducted in Max Health Hospital and Islamabad Healing Center Private Limited from March to November 2020. A total of 384 male and female aged 30 to 50 years having back pain for at least 3 months were selected through non-probability purposive sampling. Participants were assessed on numeric pain rating scale, inclinometer, straight leg raise and motility test for visceral organs including stomach, liver, intestine, colon and kidney. All the assessment were carried out on the spot and recorded on structured questionnaires.Results: A total of 320 participants responded with a mean age of the participants was 38.9 years. The most common viscera involved in back pain was stomach having a frequency 296 (37%), followed by small intestine (n=211). Participants with age group 30-35 yrs, the highest reported visceral involvement were stomach (n=114), followed by small intestine (n=83) and liver (n=55) respectively. Liver, stomach and small intestine were involved more in female. There was statistical difference between back pain with visceral involvement and back pain without visceral involvement. All the viscera, namely liver, stomach, small intestine, colon and kidney were significantly associated with back pain (p<0.05).Conclusion: This study concluded that there is a significant association of visceral organ involvement in participants with non-specific back pain. The most common viscera involved in back pain was stomach followed by small intestine, liver, colon and kidney.