Increase in back pain in Britain is real

The prevalence of less disabling back pain rose by 12% over the 10 years from 1987 to 1997. Palmer et al compared the results of two population surveys which asked about back sysmptoms in the previous 12 months (p 1577). Between the two surveys the prevalence rose from 36% to 49% across all subgroups, though the prevalence of more severe back pain (that made it impossible to put on hosiery) fell by 0.7%. The authors suggest that cultural changes may have led to greater awareness of more minor back symptoms and may also have made back pain more acceptable as a reason for sickness absence.