ABSTRACT
Background: Obesity is recognized as a major public health problem
and it is associated with various musculoskeletal disorders, including
impairment of the spine and osteoarthritis. Objective: to investigate the
correlation between different degrees of obesity and non-specific low
back pain as well as the mechanical factors that may affect this
correlation. Methodology: Ninety obese females suffering from nonspecific
low back pain participated in this study; their ages ranged from
20 to 45 years. Subjects were subdivided into three groups according to
their BMI, thirty patients in each group. Group A, B and C represent
grade I, II and III obesity respectively. Outcome measures were
performed through spinal mouse that measure lumbar lordotic angle and
spinal mobility and also through Visual analogue scale and Oswestery
Disability index to detect pain severity and functional disability. Results:
There was moderate positive significant correlation between BMI, VAS,
ODI and lumbar mobility during extension, while there was moderate
negative significant correlation between BMI and LLA as well as lumbar
mobility during flexion. Conclusion: Different degrees of obesity
correlate with non-specific low back pain as well as the mechanical
factors that may affect this correlation.