Evaluation of factors associated with chronic low back pain in hemodialysis patients

Background/Aims: Low back pain is a common and disabling symptom that has not been properly studied in hemodialysis patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate factors associated with chronic low back pain in these patients. Methods: We evaluated 205 patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis. Data were obtained through medical records, patient interviews and physical examination. Balance was evaluated through the Tinetti scale. The muscular strength was evaluated through the quadriceps muscle manual test and the Kendall scale graduation. Results: 74 patients (36.1%) had low back pain. They were older (p = 0.020), undergoing dialysis for a longer period (p = 0.071) and had more comorbidities than patients without lumbar pain. Among the patients with low back pain, 75.7% presented balance disorders and 59.5% muscular weakness. In multivariate analysis the factors related to low back pain were balance deficit (OR: 9.30; 95% CI: 2.77-31.20), muscular strength deficit (OR: 14.33; 95% CI: 4.55-45.19), arterial hypertension (OR: 4.51; 95% CI: 1.32-15.37), bone disease (OR: 43.39; 95% CI: 11.51-163.53) and cerebrovascular disease (OR: 20.21; 95% CI: 3.28-124.65). Conclusions: Chronic low back pain is common in hemodialysis patients and is associated with muscle weakness, balance disorders, and comorbidities. Copyright (C) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.