After an earthquake in Japan, the authors of a study published in the journal SPINE, followed people who had sleep disturbances because of the natural disaster. They found that lower back pain was associated with sleep disturbances. The more sleep lost, the more the association with back pain.~ Dr. Broussard
Association Between Sleep Disturbance and Low Back Pain
A 3-Year Longitudinal Study After the Great East Japan Earthquake
Yabe, Yutaka MD, PhD
SPINE: February 15, 2022 – Volume 47 – Issue 4 – p 361-368
doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000004234
Study Design.
A longitudinal study.
Objective.
The aim of this study was to clarify the association between sleep disturbance and low back pain (LBP) using 3-year longitudinal data after the Great East Japan Earthquake, with a focus on the duration or frequency of sleep disturbance and the effect of sleep disturbance on LBP.
Summary of Background Data.
Sleep disturbance and LBP are common health problems in the general population and natural disaster survivors. However, a longitudinal study in this field is rare, and the association between sleep disturbance and LBP has not been clarified.
Methods.
A 3-year longitudinal study was conducted among people living in disaster-stricken areas after the Great East Japan Earthquake (n = 2059). Sleep disturbance and LBP were assessed at 4, 5, 6, and 7 years after the disaster. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between the duration or frequency of sleep disturbance and LBP, and the effect of preceding sleep disturbance on the onset of LBP. The χ2 test and crude and multiple logistic regression models were used in data analysis.
Results.
The duration and frequency of sleep disturbance were significantly associated with LBP, and the effect was stronger with longer duration and increased frequency of sleep disturbance. Furthermore, the duration and frequency of preceding sleep disturbance were significantly associated with the onset of LBP, and the effect was stronger with an increase in the duration and frequency of sleep disturbance.
Conclusion.
Sleep disturbance is associated with LBP in a dose-dependent manner. Attention should be paid to sleep disturbance for the treatment and prevention of LBP, especially with regard to the duration and frequency of sleep disturbance.
Level of Evidence: 3
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