Role of Environmental Factors and History of Low Back Pain in Sciatica Symptoms Among Finnish Adolescents

Study Design. Cross-sectional study in a subcohort of the 1986 Northern Finland Birth Cohort (n = 1987). Objective. To investigate the role of environmental factors and LBP history in sciatica symptoms among Finnish young adults. Summary of Background Data. History of low back pain (LBP), smoking, and male sex are associated with sciatica in adult populations. The role of the environmental determinants of sciatica has not been evaluated in populations consisting of only adolescents. Methods. Sciatic symptoms and environmental exposures were elicited by a mailed questionnaire and the associations were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression. Results. Female sex was associated with severe sciatica at 18 years (OR, 3.9; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.6-9.3). Both reported LBP at 16 years and LBP requiring consultation of a health care professional were associated with mild sciatica at 18 years (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.3-4.9; and OR, 3.8; 95% CI, 1.2-11.9). In addition, LBP at 16 years requiring consultation of a health care professional was associated with severe sciatica at 18 years (OR, 5.0; 95% CI, 1.7-15.3). Smoking, obesity, physical workload, and level of physical activity were not associated with sciatica. Conclusion. Females reported sciatic pain more often than males. LBP at 16 years predicted sciatica at 18 years.