People in Brazil hold unhelpful beliefs about low back pain: An online survey using the back pain attitudes questionnaire.

Background

Beliefs about low back pain (LBP) influence decisions about treatment, healthcare utilisation and engagement in valued activities. Beliefs in middle-income countries remain understudied.

Objectives

To explore beliefs about LBP in people with a history of LBP, no history of LBP, and with current LBP who live in a middle-income country (Brazil).

Methods

This is an online survey. Adults over 18 years of age living in Brazil, who currently experience LBP (current LBP), with a history of LBP, or with no history of LBP, were recruited. The Brazilian-Portuguese version of the Back Pain Attitudes Questionnaire (Back-PAQ-Br) was used to assess participants' beliefs about LBP. Back-PAQ-Br scores between the three groups were comparatively assessed using linear regression models.

Results

433 participants were analysed in the study (mean age 44.7 ± 12.1 years). People in Brazil hold unhelpful beliefs about LBP (Back-PAQ-Br median score = 112, interquartile range (IQR): 101 to 120). The median and IQR for each group were: no history of LBP 111 (97.5; 119); history of LBP 110 (98; 118); and current LBP 116 (108; 123). People currently experiencing LBP hold more unhelpful beliefs than people with no history of LBP (mean difference = 6.14; 95 CI: 1.63, 10.64) and people with a history of LBP (mean difference = 5.32; 95 CI: 0.81, 9.84).

Conclusion

Participants from a middle-income country (Brazil) population hold unhelpful beliefs about LBP irrespective of their LBP status. However, people currently experiencing LBP hold more unhelpful beliefs.