PREVALENCE OF LOW BACK PAIN AMONG POSTPARTUM WOMEN WITH AND WITHOUT EPIDURAL ANALGESIA.

Aim: The aim of the study is to find out prevalence of postpartum pain among females who receive epidural analgesia and who do not Methods: Total 420 women were recruited in this study who met the inclusion criteria. Two forms were designed to obtain data. Form I contains Demographics and Form II used for follow up data. Data was collected by direct contact on first day after delivery, follow up for week 1, 1 month and 3 months were on telephone. Primary variable used for outcome was Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Two groups were formed Group A for females who receive epidural anesthesia and Group B who did not. Out of 420 women, 210 were in group A and 210 in group B respectively. Results: The prevalence of low back pain among postpartum in epidural analgesia versus non epidural analgesia group was 40.9% vs 40% on day one and 32.2% versus 35.2% after 1 week whereas after 3rd month follow up backache was less in epidural analgesia group than non-epidural analgesia group. There was no significant difference between two groups in VAS pain score. Conclusion: The current study concludes that there is no association of epidural analgesia with low back pain. The actual reason of low back pain among postpartum women is still unknown.